43 more services of 7 Govt deptts brought under PSGA purview

Maximum services pertain to I&C, FCS&CA, Forest, Revenue

First, Second Appellate Authorities too designated

Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Nov 1: For the convenience of the general public, the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has brought 43 more services of seven departments under the purview of Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA) and even designated First and Second Appellate Authorities to decide the appeals of the applicants in case of detail of services within the prescribed timelines.
The Section 4 of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Services Guarantee Act states that the Government may, from time to time, specify the services to be the public services for purposes of the Act and shall specify the time limit within which such services shall be provided to the eligible persons.
The Sub-Section 2 of Section 4 read: “For providing services specified under Sub-Section (I), the Government may for different areas and for different services designate officers who shall be responsible for providing each of such services to the eligible persons”.
Similarly, Section 8 states that the Government may by notification in the Government Gazette, designate officers who shall be First Appellate Authorities and Second Appellate Authorities in respect of each public service.
In exercise of these powers, the Government has notified 43 more services of seven key departments under the J&K Public Services Guarantee Act and specified the timelines for providing the same besides designating Appellate Authorities. These departments are Industries and Commerce, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Revenue Department, Forest, Ecology and Environment Department, Jal Shakti Department, Health and Medical Education Department, Information Technology Department and Labour and Employment Department.
The services of Industries and Commerce Department, which have been brought under the purview of PSGA, are assessment of raw material and finished goods; prior permission for additional products; prior permission for substantial expansion and additional line of activity; change in location; change in name and style; transfer of leasehold rights; merger of units; change in constitution; subsidy on DG set under Jammu and Kashmir Industrial Policy 2021-30; reimbursement on quality certificate under J&K Industrial Policy 2021-30; subsidy on cost of automation under J&K Industrial Policy; subsidy on following green and environment protection initiative and turnover incentives under Industrial Policy.
The timelines for providing these services range between 15 days to 45 days and designated officers are General Manager of District Industries Centre concerned while as Director Industries and Administrative Secretary of the department are the First and Second Appellate Authorities.
The certification of verification and re-verification of weights and measures; registration of manufacturer/ packer/ importer under Packaged Commodities Rules; issuance of license to dealer of weights and measures; renewal of license to dealers of weights and measures; issuance of license to manufacturer of weights and measures etc are the services of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs which have been brought under the purview of PSGA.
The timeline for providing all these services is 30 days while as concerned Area Inspector of Legal Metrology is the designated officer.
Likewise, change of land use; issuance of domicile certificate, character certificate, income certificate for economically weaker section, legal heir certificate and marriage certificate are the services of the Revenue Department which have been notified under PSGA. The timelines for providing these services is between 15 days to 45 days.
The services of Forest, Ecology and Environment Department which have been brought under the ambit of PSGA are registration for dealers under the Batteries (Management and Handling Rules, 2001; authorization under Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016; authorization under Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016; services under wood based industry; registration of timber sale depot and certificate of non-forest land etc. The timeline for these services range between 30 days to 120 days.
Obtaining water connection (domestic and commercial) and NOC for water extraction from Central Ground water Authority are the services of Jal Shakti Department which have been brought under the ambit of PSGA while as generation of Ayushman Bharat card by Health and Medical Education Department, ROW permission by Information Technology Department and approval of registration of boiler manufacturers and renewal of registration by the Labour and Employment Department have also been brought under PSGA ambit.