What is the Maharashtra Right to Public Services Act, 2015 all about?
the Governor of Maharashtra was satisfied that circumstances existed which rendered it necessary for him to take immediate action to make a comprehensive law to provide for delivery of transparent, efficient and timely public services to the eligible persons in the State of Maharashtra and to bring transparency and accountability in the Departments and agencies of the Government and other Public Authorities which provide public services to the eligible persons and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
What are the objects and reasons for the Act?
The objects and reasons for the Act are:
to provide for delivery of transparent, efficient and timely public
services to the eligible persons in the State of Maharashtra and for
matters connected therewith or incidental thereto
When did the Act come into force?
As per section 1 (3) the Act shall be deemed to have come into force on the 28th April 2015
Whom is the Act applicable to?
As per section 1 (4) the Act is applicable to such Public Authorities which provide public services to the eligible persons as per the provisions of any laws, rules, notifications, orders, Government Resolutions or any other instruments.
Who is an “eligible person” under the Act?
As per section 2 (g) “eligible person” means a person who is eligible for obtaining a public service and also includes a legal person;
This means that a company or partnership firm is also covered under the definition of an eligible person.
This Act does not restrict its purview to citizens only.
What type of public services are covered by the Act?
As per section 2 (m) “public services” means such services as may be notified by the Public Authority under section 3;
As per section 3:
3. (1) The Public Authority shall, within a period of three months from
the date of commencement of this Act (July 2015), and thereafter from time to time, notify
the public services rendered by it along with
Designated Officers,
First and Second Appellate Authorities and
stipulated time limit.
How will the general public know which services are covered under the Act?
As per section 3
(2) The Public Authority shall display or cause to be displayed on the
notice board of the office and also on its website or portal, if any,
the list of the public services rendered by it alongwith
the details of the stipulated time limit,
form or fee, if any,
Designated Officers,
First Appellate Authorities and
Second Appellate Authorities.
More coming soon….