Bring a legislation on citizens’ rights

Leaders of various political parties and organisations favoured a legislation on citizens’ rights at a round table meeting on "Citizens’ services as a Right" organised at Andhra Bhasha Nilayam in Hanamkonda on Sunday.

At the meeting organised by Lok Satta Social Service Organisation, Lok Satta advisor Parcha Kodandarama Rao urged the State government to extend the same rights and facilities to citizens as being extended to the prospective entrepreneurs in the State. "The government promises to clear sanctions within 15 days or the officials concerned would be asked to pay Rs. 1,000 per day for the delay. The same should be extended to the citizens seeking civic services," he said.

He wanted the government to make government employees more responsible and transparent while discharging their duties.

TDP leader A. Baswa Reddy said the government employees were not conscious of their duties, but only fight for their rights. Though separate Telangana was the result of all the sections in the society, the employees were taking all the credit which isn’t right.

Law college principal T. Vijaychander wanted the State government to bring a legislation on the lines of Right to Information Act to help citizens secure services within a timeframe. CPI (M) leader S. Vasudeva Reddy pointed out that farmers in remote villages do not get pattadhar passbooks without greasing the palms of revenue employees. There were instances of ACB trapping the employees harassing the innocent people seeking pattadhar passbooks.

Rotary Club governor K. Indrasena Reddy said it was unfortunate that citizens had to beg for their rights in a democracy. The State and Central governments should ensure protection of their rights. The citizens were not treated well by the government employees in any office, he said.

Courtesy: The Hindu