Srinagar, July 23: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the implementation of the Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA), reaffirming the government’s commitment to delivering essential public services in a timely, transparent, and accountable manner.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of effective governance mechanisms that prioritize citizens’ needs and ensure that basic services are not only accessible but also efficiently provided within stipulated timelines.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the Office of the Chief Minister wrote:
“The Chief Minister chaired a comprehensive review of the implementation of the Public Services Guarantee Act to ensure the timely, accountable, and transparent delivery of essential services to citizens. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to citizen-centric governance.”
The review meeting saw the participation of senior bureaucrats and heads of key departments responsible for the implementation of public services under the Act. Discussions focused on identifying bottlenecks in service delivery, improving digital tracking systems, and strengthening grievance redressal mechanisms.
CM Omar directed officials to ensure strict adherence to timelines defined under the PSGA and to hold departments accountable for any delays or lapses. He stressed that technology must be leveraged to improve monitoring and bring greater transparency in the system.
He also called for periodic audits and performance reviews to evaluate the responsiveness of departments in addressing public grievances. “Our goal is to build a responsive administration that serves people with integrity and efficiency,” he said.
The Public Services Guarantee Act mandates time-bound delivery of over 100 notified services across various departments, including revenue, power, PHE, transport, housing, and urban development. Citizens are entitled to compensation in case of delays or non-compliance.
Officials were also asked to conduct awareness campaigns at the grassroots level to educate citizens about their rights under the Act and the process to file appeals or complaints if services are not delivered as promised.
The Chief Minister reiterated that public trust in governance can only be earned through efficient service delivery and a transparent system that puts people at the center of all policy actions.
