In 2010, India was 87th on Transparency International’s (TI’s) corruption perceptions index for 178 countries. A TI study found that more than 50% of Indians have had a firsthand experience of bribery.
But all this could change, if the government implements Right to Service Act a la Bihar and Madhya Pradesh (MP).
Implementation of the act will make sure you get safety clearance from the fire department or death, birth, domicile or caste certificates from civic bodies or sub-divisional magistrates on time, say civil society members and lawyers.
“This type of model is the need of the hour. This bill will weed out corruption that is growing by leaps and bounds,” civil and human rights activist and Supreme Court (SC) lawyer Colin Gonsalves said.
“This type of service will help streamline the state of affairs and control corruption,” he said, calling for an increased fine that pinches corrupt government officials.
The Bihar law enacted last week covers 30 services, including home, road transport, health, food and civil supplies, social welfare, education and power, while the MP law covers 26 services.
The Bihar law makes it mandatory for police to submit verification reports on people seeking passports, arms licences and government jobs in seven days.
Twenty-one days have been given for disposal of social security pension and sanction of scholarship amounts to students, while an autopsy report should be issued in three days. A new driving licence has to be issued within 30 days of application.
There’s further precedent. The Delhi government launched a pilot project last year with five departments clearing files in a stipulated time. The project was successful and the government is now thinking of enacting a law to the effect.
“Right to Service Act should be implemented across India as it will reduce pendency in courts. Once the law is in force, people will not have to knock at the door of courts for basic rights such as food, water and electricity,” senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan said.
