Recently, the Orissa High Court has instructed the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) to implement a 'Citizen's Charter' aimed at demonstrating the Corporation's dedication to serving the public, in an effort to transform the mindset of municipal officials.
Brief Facts:
The Petitioner, who claimed to be the wife of a deceased individual who died due to COVID-19; sought a direction from the Court to the Commissioner of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) to provide the official documents related to her husband's death. Despite several attempts to obtain these documents from the BMC, they have not been granted. Therefore, the Petitioner filed the instant Writ Petition.
Contentions of the Petitioner:
It was submitted that to receive the ex-gratia amount of Rs. 50,000 (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) due to her husband's death from COVID-19, the Petitioner needs to submit an application along with necessary documents, including the COVID Death Certificate.
It was urged that despite several attempts to obtain these documents from the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), they have not been provided.
Observations of the Court:
The Hon'ble Court noted that despite the Petitioner's repeated efforts to obtain the necessary documents related to her husband's COVID-19 death, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) did not provide them. The Court criticized the undue delay in issuing these essential documents, causing unnecessary public inconvenience.
It was suggested that introducing a Citizen's Charter by the BMC would be a pioneering initiative. Further, the need to establish Information and Facilitation Counters and Public Grievance Cells was emphasized, and it was highlighted that implementing new software for grievance redressal is important.
The Hon'ble Court further clarified that the commitments should include time limits for citizen-centric services, compensation for delays, a public grievance redressal system, and the provision of quality service information in simple language, preferably in 'Odia'.
The Bench also directed that the Citizen's Charter be prepared promptly with input from various stakeholders. He stressed that the charter should foster a culture of courtesy and helpfulness within the municipal body.
The decision of the Court:
The High Court accordingly directed the Commissioner, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation to file an affidavit with the proposed notification of the Citizen’s Charter by 13th August, 2024.
Case Title: Sakhilata Sahoo v. State of Odisha & Ors.
Coram: Hon’ble Dr. Justice S.K Panigrahi
Case No.: WP(C) No. 6939 of 2024
Advocate for the Petitioner: Adv. Mr. Bijaya Kumar Nayak
Advocates for the Respondent: Advs. Mr. Debasis Mohapatra, Mr. Kali Prasad Nanda
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