Bhubaneswar, May 17: One will not have to run from pillar to the post for a driving licence or a power connection once the Odisha Right To Public Service Act comes into being.

Sources said the proposed legislation would make it mandatory for public functionaries to provide such services to the people within a fixed time frame. In case of deviation, citizens will have the right to appeal and the erring officials may draw penalties for faltering on their deadlines.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik said: “This act will ensure time-bound delivery of important public services to the citizens of Odisha. Necessary preparatory work for enactment of this law has been completed and it will be brought to the cabinet very soon.”

Naveen today called a meeting of officials to discuss the draft of the proposed legislation, which would ensure that people get things such as temporary driving licence in two days. Similarly, transport officials have to give the registration number for a vehicle within three days from the date of application and production of vehicles.

Similarly, new electrical connection will be given within seven days. “The meter replacement will be done within 30 working days,” said a senior official. Low tension (L&T) lines will be replaced within 30 days of an application being submitted.

The proposed bill will try to include all the public services utilities. The authorities will take no more than 60 days to give its nod to approve a building plan. The mutation certificate for land will be available within 30 days. Similarly, marriage certificate under the Hindu Marriage Act will be issued within a stipulated time frame.

Nearly 90 types of services would covered under the proposed act. Under the proposed act, certain officers in every government office will be designated as the first appellate authority and second appellate authority to redress grievance concerning disposal of cases pertaining to the services under the act. “ If any work is not done within the stipulated time frame, he or she will be free to approach the appellate authority,” an official said.

While rejecting an application, the designated authorities must explain the reason for his action. If the services is not provided to the designated person, a fine will be imposed to the extent of Rs 250 per day and the maximum penalty will be Rs 5,000.

“We are trying to formulate such a law, which can be implemented in letter and spirit,” said an official. The problem of the common man will be solved within 60 days.

Earlier, the state government had thought of setting up a commission with a retired chief secretary as its head to redress such grievances. However, the idea was dropped at the last moment.

A similar act has met with resounding success in Bihar and chief minister Nitish Kumar cites it as one of his most successful policy implementations. States such as Delhi and Madhya Pradesh have already framed such laws.

However, leaders of Opposition parties in Odisha said the government was formulating laws, but failing to ensure their proper implementation.

“We do have a number of laws, but they don’t work,” said former law minister and senior BJP leader Biswa Bhusan Harichandan.