Patna, Nov. 27: Residents of the state will be able to file online applications from next month for a number of services, under the ambit of Right to Public Service Act.
At present, citizens have to visit the block office concerned to file applications.
While the chief minister made a formal announcement of this new service during of his news meet while releasing the annual report card of his government on November 25, the officials who are responsible for setting up the system are burning the midnight oil to ensure a hassle-free service.
“It has been a hectic week as we are conducting trial runs of the new system so that when it is formally launched on December 1, people could avail its benefit right from day one,” a source closely associated with the whole process told The Telegraph today.
He added that the district magistrates have already been briefed about the nuances of the new system and they would conduct workshops to brief officials concerned about the details of the online system.
The three services for which people would be able to apply online are caste, income and residential certificates. The decision to take up these three services was taken on the basis of number of applications received so far after Right to Public Service Act, which guarantees delivery of certain services within a stipulated time, came into effect in the state from August 15. Of the 50 lakh applications received so far, around 32 lakh were related to these three services.
Giving details about the functioning of the new system, the source said: “A hyperlink would be put up on the website of the general administration department (http://gad.bih.nic.in) using which people would be able to avail this service.”
As soon as one would open this link, a format would appear on the screen in which one would have to enter one’s name, the service and a cellphone number. Once this formality is completed a text message with a four-digit PIN would be sent to the cellphone of the applicant.
After getting this number, the applicant would have to visit the website once again and enter the PIN number. He would then have access to the detailed format of the services he wants to avail. Once these details are entered, the applicant would have to fill one self-declaration form online giving personal details.
After submission of form, the applicant would get another text in which his unique 18-digit application number (about which The Telegraph had carried a detailed report on August 18) would be given.
There is another facility, which deals with delivery of service. As soon as the office concerned would be ready with the certificate the applicant had applied for, he would get another text message about it. After that he can go to the office concerned to take delivery of the service.
“To ensure that the certificate is delivered to genuine persons only, it has been made mandatory that the individual would have to bring any of the 13 identity proofs which are used for casting votes, at the time of collecting the certificate,” said the source.
As far as internal functioning is concerned, every designated public servant, who is responsible for delivering service, would get an email every evening about the online applications received for his office. The employees would also get text alerts.
“We are expecting a steep increase in number of applications that would be submitted after the introduction of online system because those using this service would have to visit the office only once — at the time of delivery of the service,” said the source.
At present around 50,000 RTPS applications are submitted in the state everyday.
