Patna, Aug. 26: Come September, the residents of the state would be able to apply online for availing select services from the government offices under the Right to Public Service (RTPS) Act. The pilot project for the new facility would be launched in Jehanabad district this month.

“We intend to launch the facility of online submission of application forms sometime in September. Based on the experience gained from the pilot project in Jehanabad, it would be made available in other districts,” a senior government officer closely associated with developing the necessary infrastructure for delivering the services, told The Telegraph.

To begin with, he said, only the application submission process would be available online. Applicants would have to go to the government office concerned for availing the service.

“Initially, this facility would be available for few services, the list of which would be finalised soon,” the officer said.

The residents of the state are entitled to get around 50 services under 10 government departments in stipulated time after implementation of RTPS Act from August 15 this year. At present, the applicants have to submit applications by visiting the office concerned. After the introduction of the online service, the residents would not have to take the pain of visiting offices for submitting applications.

According to provisions of the act, officials have to deliver services under the RTPS Act in a stipulated time. Those failing to do so would end up paying fine from their pocket at a rate of Rs 250 per day with the upper fine limit being Rs 5,000. Fine apart, the officials found guilty of not delivering services in time would face action. It would be treated as misconduct on their behalf.

The government is working on yet another provision to deliver certain services in less than the stipulated time provided the applicants are willing to pay a premium over the prescribed fee for the service concerned.

“The introduction of a Tatkal-like facility is very much under the government’s consideration but any decision on this front would be taken after three months,” said the official, adding that their priority now was to stabilise the system so that people could get the services in the stipulated time.

The Telegraph in its January 20, 2011 edition had reported about the possibility of a Tatkal-like facility under the RTPS Act. The idea came to the government’s mind when it solicited suggestions from people on the draft of the RTPS Act prepared by it. Some of the respondents had suggested that a Tatkal-like facility should be given to those willing to pay a premium for availing services in less than the stipulated time.

Replying to a query about people’s response to RTPS so far, the officer said till August 24, as many as 3.29 lakh applications had been received and services to 27,300 applicants had been delivered. The maximum number of applications were received for availing residential certificates (1.23 lakh), followed by those for caste certificates (78,000).