MARDAN (Khurshid Wahab): Right to Public Services (RTS) Commission Mardan District Monitoring Officer Kazim Khan has urged citizens to understand their legal rights and approach the commission if government departments fail to provide services within the prescribed timeframe.
In a special interview, Kazim Khan said the Right to Public Services law in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa guarantees access to specified government services within stipulated periods. Citizens can lodge complaints when departments delay or fail to provide these services.
He said 170 services across 18 government departments have been notified under the law, while efforts are underway to bring additional services within its scope. These departments include Police, Revenue, Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA), Local Government, Driving Licence, Arms Licence, Food, Excise, Health, Education and Forests.
According to Kazim Khan, the RTS Commission aims to protect citizens from unnecessary delays and difficulties in government offices by ensuring timely service delivery through an effective accountability mechanism.
Three Ways to Lodge Complaints
Kazim Khan said citizens could report delays or the non-provision of government services through three channels: the official RTS website, the RTS mobile application, and written applications submitted to the commission by post.
He explained that the complaint mechanism enables citizens to bring grievances to the attention of the relevant authorities and seek resolution under the law.
Revenue and Local Government Receive Most Complaints
The district monitoring officer said most complaints received by the commission concerned the Revenue and Local Government departments. These generally related to delays in service delivery and difficulties faced by citizens.
He said each complaint was examined and processed according to the applicable law and prescribed procedures. Officials responsible for delays or violations could face warnings and show-cause notices, while fines of up to Rs25,000 could also be imposed under the law.
Public Awareness Campaign Underway
Kazim Khan said the RTS Commission was conducting public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about their rights and the complaint process.
Awareness activities are being organised in educational institutions, union councils and village councils to familiarise people with the law and explain how to seek redress when public services are delayed or denied.
He emphasised that public awareness was essential for effective implementation of the law, enabling citizens to hold government departments accountable and pursue grievances through legal channels.
Message to the Public
Concluding the interview, Kazim Khan urged citizens not to remain silent when government departments fail to provide services within the prescribed timeframe. He encouraged them to approach the RTS Commission and exercise their legal rights.
He said greater public awareness, effective implementation of the law and accountability of government institutions could help ensure that citizens receive public services in a timely and transparent manner.