Punjab Government would implement the Right to Services Act from August 15 in the state, assuring the residents prompt delivery of 67 basic services.

Presiding over a meeting of Deputy Commissioners and senior officials, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said that an ordinance in this regard has been promulgated by Punjab Governor and Punjab Government has decided to notify it from Independence Day this year.

He sought their cooperation to make the "path breaking and historic act", which will facilitate prompt delivery of services like driving license, rations cards, a great success.

Badal asked DCs to set up a special cell at every Suwidha Kendra at Sub Tehsil level to receive complaints regarding non-availability of scheduled services within stipulated time, according to a release here.

He asked Chief Secretary S.C. Aggarwal to sanction separate budget for every district. Secretary Planning Satish Chandra has been directed synchronise timelines of various services of Suwidha Kendra with the provisions of the Act.

Expressing concern over reported cases of touts operating in Suwidha Kendras, Badal asked DCs to check this menace.

He also emphasised the need of increasing counters in the Kendras that were witnessing more footfalls.
Emphasising on the participation of District Administration in the ambitious program of gyms for the villages and wards, Badal said that Deputy Commissioners(DCs) would ensure their installation at grass root level.

He said that DCs would also monitor the delivery of bicycles to 1.46 lakh girl students.

Similarly they would ensure delivery of mid-day-meal utensils to every school, Badal said.

Reviewing the progress of digitalisation of Land Records, Badal said that he was committed to put all digital records of the state on the web by October 1 and launch this statewide program on that day.

He expressed concern at poor performance of certain districts and told them to pull up their socks to complete digitalisation by the scheduled dates.

The Deputy Chief Minister asked the Deputy Commissioners to ensure that Patwaris update the revenue records twice a week so that information on the web was live.