In a move to showcase governance in next year’s Assembly elections in UP, BSP supremo and chief minister Mayawati is working overtime to bring in the state version of “Public Service Guarantee Act” to give statutory provisions for delivery of services to the people in time.
The BSP supremo is learnt to have closely studied the Bihar Assembly verdict and is now working overtime to emulate the initiative of the chief minister Nitish Kumar in adopting the “Public Service Guarantee Act” as implemented by the Madhya Pradesh government last year.
“Yes, it is true that the UP government at the top level has studied the Public Service Guarantee Act. We are working on a proposal to give shape for a better legislation than the one that Madhya Pradesh has. We are hopeful to get the legislation passed in the Budget Session of the UP Assembly,” stated a senior aid of the UP chief minister.
The Bihar government has put up its version of the draft bill on its website to seek public feedback and is also looking forward to pass it in the upcoming Budget Session of the Assembly.
In the case of the draft bill of Bihar, it stipulates seven days’ time for the police to send verification reports on applicants for passport and arms licence as well as on job seekers selected for government jobs.
A further 21 days’ time is given for disposal of social security pension and sanction of scholarship amounts to students, while an autopsy report should be issued in three days.
The UP government led by Ms Mayawati is looking at the possibility of bringing in more than nine departments and 27 services that Bihar is working on in its legislation. Already known to keep bureaucrats on a tight leash, Ms Mayawati is looking forward to be seen among the electorates for not only admonishing the erring babus but also imposing fines for not clearing works of citizens within the stipulated timeframe.
The political advisers of the UP CM are of the opinion that once this law is in place, the image of Ms Mayawati will take a further boost on the lines of Mr Nitish Kumar.