Punjab Minister Aman Arora Enforces Strict Measures to Ensure Equitable Service Delivery at Sewa Kendras

In a decisive move to uphold transparency and fairness in public service delivery, Punjab’s Governance Reforms and Grievances Redressal Minister, Aman Arora, has mandated that all citizens, including government officials, must obtain a token to access services at Sewa Kendras. This directive aims to dismantle the entrenched ‘Khaas Aadmi’ culture and ensure that no individual receives preferential treatment.

The minister’s directive comes in response to reports indicating that certain government officials have been bypassing the standard token system, thereby undermining the principles of equality and transparency that Sewa Kendras are designed to uphold. Minister Arora emphasized that such behavior is entirely unacceptable and warned that strict action would be taken against any official found engaging in this practice.

Sewa Kendras, established to provide seamless and transparent services to the public, have been instrumental in streamlining citizen-government interactions. Since the inception of the ‘Bhagwant Mann Sarkar, Tuhade Dwaar’ scheme on December 10, 2023, the number of services offered has expanded from an initial 43 to an impressive 406 services across 29 major government departments. These services encompass a wide range of citizen needs, including driving licenses, police verifications, passport applications, utility connections, and various no-objection certificates.

The expansion of services has been met with significant public engagement. Over 92,000 applications have been received under the scheme, with all processed within the stipulated time frame. This efficiency has eliminated the need for citizens to navigate bureaucratic hurdles, as government-approved certificates are now delivered directly to their mobile devices, saving both time and resources.

To further enhance service delivery, the state government has digitized over 7.7 million certificates, ensuring that citizens receive prompt and accurate documentation. Additionally, local officials, including patwaris, sarpanches, nambardars, and municipal corporation representatives, have been integrated into the online processing system, resulting in over 900,000 applications being handled efficiently. Citizen feedback reflects a high level of satisfaction, with an average service rating of 4.1 out of 5 from approximately 1.3 million respondents.

Minister Arora’s recent directive reinforces the government’s commitment to equitable service delivery. By insisting that no individual, regardless of position, bypass the token system, the administration aims to foster a culture of fairness and accountability. The minister has instructed the Director of the Department of Governance Reforms to issue clear guidelines to all Deputy Commissioners, ensuring strict adherence to this policy. Any deviation will result in appropriate disciplinary action, underscoring the government’s zero-tolerance stance on preferential treatment.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to eradicate systemic biases and promote a citizen-centric governance model. By holding all individuals to the same standards and procedures, the Punjab government seeks to rebuild public trust and demonstrate its unwavering commitment to transparency and justice in public service delivery.