In a significant step towards enhancing transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public service delivery, the Haryana government has officially notified 33 services of the Home Department under the Haryana Right to Service Act, 2014. This move aims to ensure that citizens receive time-bound services, eliminating delays and bureaucratic hurdles.
Key Services and Timelines
According to a notification issued by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, specific timelines have been prescribed for various services. For instance, if an arms licence is submitted for renewal within the same district and the licence has not expired, it will be renewed within 15 days. In cases where police verification is required after the six-year cycle, the verification process for renewal of the arms licence will be completed within 22 days.
Services such as addition or deletion of weapons in an arms licence, extension of the period for purchasing a weapon, and permissions for organising protests, strikes, rallies, public programmes, and cultural events will be provided within seven days.
The service for registration of foreigners (arrival and departure) will be provided immediately. Similarly, copies of FIRs or DDRs will be made available immediately or through online mode.
Other Services with Fixed Timelines
Services including extension of residential permits for foreigners, permission for the use of loudspeakers, issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for fairs, exhibitions, and sports events, stranger verification, and issuance of NOCs for old vehicles will be provided within five days.
Domestic help verification, tenant verification, character certificates, police clearance certificates, employee verification, and disposal of registered lost property cases will be completed within 21 days.
NOCs for the establishment of petrol pumps, cinema halls, and similar facilities will be issued within 15 days. The process for granting a cinema licence will be completed within 30 days, while renewal of a cinema licence will be completed within 25 days.
Services such as issuance of NOCs for import and storage of petroleum under the Petroleum Rules, 2002, permission for storage and sale of fireworks under the Explosives Rules, 2008, renewal of firecracker licences, and issuance of NOCs for firecracker shops and warehouses will be provided within 30 days.
The disposal of online complaints and verification of private security agencies will be completed within 60 days.
Additionally, verification services related to the registration of cyber café operators, registration of hotel operators and guests, and verification of applicants for the Community Liaison Group will be provided within 30 days.
Grievance Redressal Mechanism
The notification also designates the competent officer, First Grievance Redressal Authority, and Second Grievance Redressal Authority for each service. If a citizen does not receive a service within the prescribed time limit, they may file an appeal before the grievance redressal authority concerned under the provisions of the Act. This ensures that citizens have a clear pathway to seek redressal in case of delays or non-compliance.
This initiative is part of the Haryana government's broader efforts to improve governance and make public services more accessible and citizen-friendly. By bringing these services under the Right to Service Act, the government aims to instil a culture of accountability and efficiency in the Home Department.
