Patna:
As the Right to Public Services (RTPS) Act in Bihar went online
from Thursday, enabling people to file applications for caste,
income and domicile certificates over internet, people across the
state -- particularly students -- welcomed the move.
Kunal Singh, a student in his early 20s, told IANS: "I will no
longer have to stand in a long queue to submit an application form
to obtain a certificate from a government office."
"The online facility will be an advantage to all sections of
people, particularly students, who won't have to waste time
running around for it."
Deepak Kumar, principal secretary, general administration
department, said now people can file online applications for
obtaining caste, income and domicile certificates and later more
services will be made online.
Deepak Kumar said it will also provide an opportunity to file
applications from the place and time of their choice. "Even people
living in rural areas can use internet to file applications," he
said.
According to him, in view of a heavy rush for obtaining
certificates under the RTPS, the government has decided to put
these three services online.
The RTPS Act became effective in the state Aug 15 this year and
since then nearly 5.5 million people have applied for
certificates.
"Out of the 5.5 million applications received after the RTPS Act
came into force, more than four million applications were filed
for caste, income and domicile certificates alone," Deepak Kumar
said.
After releasing the report card of the first year of his second
term, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar last week said, "My government
had implemented the act to ensure timely and transparent delivery
of public services. In the first phase, time limits prescribed for
50 public services."
Earlier, Nitish said he had warned government officials who do not
perform the common man's jobs within a stipulated timeframe will
face a fine of up to Rs.5,000.
The chief minister said if a government official failed to deliver
a service within a given timeframe, he or she will be held
personally responsible and the government will impose a fine for
the delay.
He said after the act was implemented, people will no longer have
to run around government offices to get their work done.
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