In what promises to bring relief to members of the public who have to run from pillar to post or wait an inordinately long time to for government documentation, the cabinet today decided to introduce the Meghalaya Right to Public Service Bill 2020 in the upcoming session of the Assembly, which will begin on November 5.
Speaking after a cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that the legislation envisages the provision of public services from the government, such as caste certificates and driving licences, to be issued to those applying for them with a specified timeframe.
“With this act in place, officials who are in the position to give these services will be liable for punishment if the particular service is not provided in a specific period of time,” Sangma said, adding that this will ensure that overall delivery of services improves at the grassroots.
The CM also informed that the cabinet approved the recommendations for the Punchhi Commission on relations between the central government and the states, which will be sent to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs’ Inter-State Council Secretariat.
