Raj becomes first state to implement Right to Hearing Act

Jaipur, Aug 1: Rajasthan today became the first state in the country to implement the 'Right To Hearing Act', which ensures time-bound hearing and disposal of complaints related to governance.

"Rajasthan is the first state in the country to introduce such an Act and we would like to ensure that everybody knows about the details of the Act," Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said at a news conference in his office here. "The government is working on a theme to provide sensitive, transparent and responsible governance and the 'Right to Hearing act' is another step in this direction," he said.

Gehlot said that, under the Act, right of hearing will be provided to people on a complaint filed related to governance within the stipulated time limits. "Provision of penalty from Rs 500 to 5,000 has been made in the Act," he said.

The chief minister said the new Act will strengthen prospects of the 'Rajasthan Guaranteed Delivery of Public Services Act-2011' which was introduced in November last year to ensure time-bound delivery of public services. The Guaranteed Delivery of Public Services Act at present is covering 153 services of 18 departments and 56,33,400 cases out of total 57,06,785 have been disposed off so far, he said.

Gehlot also called upon social activists and NGOs to spread awareness about the issue so that maximum people can take advantage of the Act. He expressed hope that the new Act would help in reducing the number of public grievances at levels of the chief minister and ministers.

PTI