Emulating the Union Government, the Maharashtra Government on Friday announced that a Citizen Services Bill will be introduced in the State Legislature, making it legally binding on government departments to provide citizens with all the essential services.

Devendra Fadnavis told the media on Friday, during his first press conference as Chief Minister, that all the services provided by the various government departments will be identified within a month. Then a Bill will be introduced to give legal recourse to citizens if those services are not provided. .

Fadnavis said people are at present unhappy with the State Government due to delay in services. The Bill will try to bridge that gap and provide better services in a time-bound manner.

A committee set up under the leadership of the State Chief Secretary will provide a report within a month. “Many administrations try to provide an efficient and transparent government. But many a time the two aims do not work hand in hand. My Government will try to bridge that gap,” Fadnavis said.

He said the State’s economic condition is not very healthy. If all the promises of the past government have to be fulfilled an additional ₹52,000 crore would be required. “Our total focus on governance would be holistic. There could be mistakes while carrying out the administrative duties but there would be no mala-fide intention in those. We will ensure that the flow of governance, which has been upset for the last 15 years, is brought back to normal,” he said.

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