Chandigarh, April 3: To bolster public accountability, the Chandigarh administration has notified 90 additional services under the Punjab Right to Service Act. This expansion brings the total number of services covered by fixed delivery timelines to over 700, mandating that government departments process applications within strictly defined periods.
The new notification establishes clear deadlines for high-demand public interactions, particularly within the Estate Office and the Registering & Licensing Authority (RLA). For instance, the issuance of a learner’s licence is now mandated within a single day, while new driving licences or renewals must be completed within 10 days. The Estate Office is now required to process no-dues certificates within 15 days and uncontested ownership transfers within 30 to 40 days.
“The notification clearly defines timelines, designated officers, and appellate authorities,” a senior official stated. He affirmed that these timelines are calculated from the date a complete application is submitted, ensuring that officials are held responsible for any bureaucratic delays.
To support the initiative, the administration has implemented a structured two-level appellate system. Citizens who experience delays or denials can lodge formal grievances through the official Right to Service portal. Department heads have been designated as nodal authorities to oversee compliance and ensure that the transition to these new benchmarks remains seamless.
Other departments affected by the notification include the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking, which must now issue bus passes within three to five days, and the Education Department, which has been given a 10-day window for school leaving certificates.
