Model Panchayat Citizens Charter
Source : Indian Express
GS II : Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures

Why in News ?

A Model Panchayat Citizens Charter/ framework for delivery of the services across the 29 sectors, aligning actions with localised Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as prepared by Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR).

• This in collaboration with National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR).

Key Facts

• The Citizen Charter would ensure transparent and effective delivery of
  • Public services for sustainable development
  • Enhanced citizen service experiences
  • Deepening inclusive and accountable Local Self Governments by incorporating diverse views while designing and delivering services.
• It will help in making the citizens aware of their rights.
  • To make the Panchayats and their elected representatives directly accountable to the people.
  • To provide services to the people in a time bound manner, redressing their grievances and improving their lives.
• States were accordingly requested to draw up a time bound plan of action.

Gram Panchayath

• Panchayats constitute the third tier of government in the rural areas.
• It is the the first level of Government interaction for over 60 per cent of the Indian populace.
• Panchayats are responsible for delivery of basic services as enshrined under article 243G of the Constitution of India
  • Specifically in the areas of Health & Sanitation, Education, Nutrition, Drinking Water.

Citizen’s Charter

• What is Citizens’s Charter ?
  • Citizens’ Charters initiative is a response to the quest for solving the problems which a citizen encounters, day in and day out while dealing with the organisations providing public services.
• Basics of the Citizens Charter
  • To empower the citizen in relation to public service delivery.
    1. Quality
    2. Choice
    3. Standards
    4. Value
    5. Accountability
    6. Transparency
• Citizen Charter In India
  • In India significant progress has been made in the field of economic development.
  • This, along with a substantial increase in the literacy rate.
  • Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances in Government of India (DARPG) initiated the task of coordinating, formulating and operationalising Citizens’ Charters.
  • Charters are expected to incorporate the following elements
    1. Vision and Mission Statement
    2. Details of business transacted by the organisation
    3. Details of clients
    4. Details of services provided to each client group
    5. Details of grievance redress mechanism and how to access it
    6. Expectations from the clients

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