Delay a file, lose 250 rupees a day: New law in Delhi.
In Delhi, delaying files in any government office is set to come at a high cost for employees. The Delhi government has decided to impose fines on officials and staff who cause such delays.
Unnecessarily stalling public work in government offices could now prove costly for officials. The Delhi government has implemented a new law to ensure that government services are delivered within a stipulated timeframe. Under this law, if an official fails to complete a citizen's task on time without a valid reason, they may be fined 250 rupees for every day of delay.
The maximum limit for this fine has been set at 5,000 rupees. This means that officials who cause delays in government work may now face financial consequences for their negligence.
New rule replaces the old law
The Delhi government has recently issued a notification for the 'Delhi Right of Citizens to Time-Bound and Easy Delivery of Services Act, 2026'. This new legislation replaces the previous law from 2011. Its objective is to streamline government operations and establish accountability among officials. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that the government aims to ensure that citizens receive government services without any hassle and within a fixed timeframe.
Time limits for government tasks
Under the new law, a specific time limit will be set for every government service. Furthermore, it will be clearly defined which official is responsible for completing a given task. The scope of this law extends beyond government departments to include municipal corporations, local bodies, and other institutions affiliated with the Delhi government.
When an individual applies for a government service, the concerned official must complete the task within the prescribed time limit. If an application is rejected, the official is required to provide the reason for the rejection in writing.
Applications to be processed online
Under the new law, citizens will also be able to apply for government services online. Each application will be assigned a unique number, allowing individuals to track its status online. Government departments will be required to maintain a digital record of all applications and provide periodic updates on their status. This will reduce the need for citizens to make repeated visits to government offices.
What happens in the event of a delay?
A key feature of this new law is that if an official fails to complete a task within the stipulated timeframe, the citizen will not need to file a separate complaint or appeal. Instead, the original application will automatically be escalated as an appeal to the designated grievance redressal officer. This officer will investigate the matter and, if necessary, direct the concerned employee to complete the task. Typically, such appeals must be resolved within 30 days. If the issue remains unresolved, it will be automatically referred to the Delhi Right to Services Commission.
Penalties for the rejection of applications
Under these new rules, if an official rejects an application without a valid reason, they may be subject to a one-time fine ranging from ₹250 to ₹5,000. Ultimately, the objective of this new legislation is to minimize delays in government services, alleviate public inconvenience, and ensure that officials remain accountable for their responsibilities.
