High Court Seeks UT Govt’s Reply on Implementation of Public Service Guarantee Act
PIL alleges gaps in enforcement, monitoring and accountability across key departments
SRINAGAR, Feb 24: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on Monday sought a response from the Union Territory administration on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) highlighting alleged lapses in the enforcement of the Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA), 2011.
The petition, moved by environmentalist and social activist Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, claims that several government departments have failed to comply with the provisions of the Act despite repeated directives mandating adherence.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal heard the matter virtually from Srinagar and issued notice to the UT administration.
The plea states that departments including Home, Revenue and Transport have allegedly not maintained mandatory records relating to inspections, awareness drives and penalties prescribed under the Act. It further points to information obtained through RTI applications, which purportedly revealed that the General Administration Department (GAD) lacked documentation on expenditure related to compulsory training programmes, public awareness campaigns and monitoring exercises.
The petition also raises concerns over the functioning of the Public Service Management Cell, set up in 2012, alleging that it has not discharged its statutory responsibilities under Rule 17 of the PSGA Rules.
Advocate Naveed Bukhtiyar appeared for the petitioner. Deputy Advocate General Hakim Aman Ali accepted notice on behalf of the UT administration and sought time to file a reply.
The court granted the request and scheduled the next hearing for March 4.
