NEW DELHI: Delays in delivering govt services across various Delhi govt departments could now cost officials financially as Delhi govt has notified a new law that makes time-bound delivery of public services a legal right for citizens and fixes personal accountability for officials responsible for delays.Under the Delhi Right to Time-Bound and Easy Delivery of Services Act, 2026, applicants will no longer have to file a separate appeal if an officer fails to deliver a service within the prescribed deadline, as the complaint will automatically move to the department’s grievance redressal authority. Officials can face a penalty of Rs 250 for every day of unjustified delay, subject to a maximum of Rs 5,000, while wrongful rejection of applications can also attract fines.The Delhi Right to Time-Bound and Easy Delivery of Services Act replaces the 2011 law and introduces a digital tracking mechanism, fixed timelines and a two-tier grievance redressal system to make govt departments accountable for delivering services.CM Rekha Gupta’s office said govt would specify through a separate notification which services would be covered and the maximum number of days within which each service must be delivered.Gupta said the legislation was inspired by PM Modi’s mantra of ‘minimum government, maximum governance’. “The objective was to ensure that citizens received govt services with dignity, transparency and within fixed timelines. Timely delivery of services is a citizen’s right and the administration’s responsibility. Govt wanted to end repeated visits to offices and unnecessary delays in getting legitimate work done,” she said.One of the key changes is citizens will have a statutory right to receive notified govt services within a time frame. A designated officer will be responsible for every service, making it easier to identify who is accountable in case of a delay. The law will cover the govt departments concerned, local bodies and notified institutions. Applicants will be able to submit applications online and track their progress through a unique application number. Departments will have to maintain digital records and regularly update the status of applications. If a request is rejected, the designated officer will have to communicate the reasons in writing.If an officer fails to deliver a service within the prescribed deadline, the original application will automatically be treated as an appeal before the department’s Citizen Grievance Redressal Authority. The authority, headed by an officer senior to the designated officer, will examine the matter, direct delivery of the service wherever necessary and fix responsibility for the delay. If they remain unresolved beyond 30 days, they will automatically move to Delhi Service Rights Commission.The commission will hear second appeals and monitor the implementation of the law. It will also be empowered to inspect govt offices, recommend departmental action, suggest changes in procedures and initiate inquiries on its own wherever necessary.Apart from penalties of Rs 250 per day for unjustified delays, officials may face a one-time fine ranging from Rs 250 to Rs 5,000 for rejecting applications without sufficient grounds. However, they will be given an opportunity to explain their actions before any penalty is imposed.
