The Maharashtra Right to Public Services Act, 2015

GOVERNMENT
OF
MAHARASHTRA
LAW
AND
JUDICIARY
DEPARTMENT
MAHARASHTRA
ACT
No.
XXXI
OF
2015.
THE
MAHARASHTRA
RIGHT
TO
PUBLIC
SERVICES
ACT,
2015.
(As
modified
upto
20th
March
2018)
PRINTED
IN
INDIA
BY
THE
MANAGE
a,GovERNMENTPRESS,WAIANDPUBLISHEDBY
THE
D
IRECTOR,
GOVERNMENT
PRINTING,
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AND
PUBLICATIONS,
MAHARAS
HTRA
STATE,
MUMBAI—400
004.
2018
[Price—Rs.19.00]

2015:
Ma
h.XXXI]
THE
MAHARASHTRA
RIGHT
TO
PUBLIC
SERVICES
ACT,
2015.
PREAMBLE.
SECTIONS.
CONTENTS
1.
Shorttitle,extent,commencementandapplication.
2.
Definitions.
3.
Public
services,DesignatedOfficers,AppellateAuthoritiesandstipulated
timelimittobenotified.
4.
Right
toobtainpublicserviceswithinstipulatedtimelimit.
5.
Providing
publicserviceswithinstipulatedtimelimit.
6.
Monitoring
statusofapplication.
7.
Use
ofInformationTechnologyfordeliveryofpublicservices.
8.
Appointment
ofAppellateAuthorities
9.
Appeal.
10.
Penalty.
11.
Procedure
forrecoveryofpenalty.
Pages
1
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
5
5
12.
Procedure
forfixingresponsibilityonDesignatedOfficerforrepeatedfailures.6
13.
Constitution
ofMaharashtraStateRighttoServiceCommission.
14.
Term
ofofficeandconditionsofservice.
15.
Removal
ofChiefCommissionerorCommissioners.
16.
Powers
andfunctionsofCommission.
17.
Action
byGovernnientonrecommendationsofCommission.
18.
Appeal
toCommission.
19.
Annual
report.
6
7
8
9
10
10
10
20.
Developing
culturetodeliverpublicserviceswithinstipulatedtimelimit.
10

SECTIONS.
21.
Allocation
offunds.
22.
Provisions
tobesupplementaltodisciplinaryrules.
[2015:
Mah.
XXXI
Pages
11
11
23.
Action
against
eligiblepersonforgivingfalseorfrivolousinformation,etc.
11
24.
Power
ofGovernmenttoissuedirections.
25.
Protection
ofactiontakeningoodfaith.
26.
Bar
ofjurisdiction.
27.
Act
tooverrideotherlaws.
28.
Power
tomakerules.
29.
Power
toremovedifficulties.
30.
Repeal
ofMah.Ord.V
of2015andsaving.
11
ll
11
12
12
12

Mali.
Ord.V
of
2015.
MAHARASHTRA
ACT
No.
XXXI
OF
2015
1
.
[THE
MAHARASHTRA
RIGHT
TO
PUBLIC
SERVICES
ACT,
2015.]
(ThisActreceivedtheassentoftheGovernoronthe19thAugust2015;assentfirst
published
intheMaharashtraGovernmentGa--ette,PartIV,onthe21stAugust2015.)
AnActtoprovidefordeliveryoftransparent,efficientandtimelypublic
services
totheeligiblepersonsintheStateofMaharashtraandfor
matters
connected
therewith
orincidentalthereto.
WHEREAS
both
Houses
oftheStateLegislaturewerenotinsession;
AND
WHEREAS
theGovernorofMaharashtrawassatisfiedthatcircumstances
existedwhichrendereditnecessaryforhimtotakeimmediateactiontomakea
compre-
hensive
lawtoprovidefordeliveryoftransparent,efficientandtimelypublicservices
totheeligiblepersonsintheStateofMaharashtraandtobringtransparencyand
accountability
intheDepartmentsandagenciesoftheGovernmentandotherPublic
Authorities
which
provide
public
services
totheeligiblepersonsandformatters
connected
therewith
orincidentalthereto;and,therefore,promulgatedtheMaharashtra
RighttoPublicServicesOrdinance,2015onthe28thApril2015;
AND
WHEREAS
itisexpedienttoreplacethesaidOrdinancebyanActofthe
StateLegislature;itisherebyenactedintheSixty-sixthYearoftheRepublicofIndia
asfollows:—
1.
(/)
ThisActmaybecalledtheMaharashtraRighttoPublicServicesAct,2015.
{2)
ItextendstothewholeoftheStateofMaharashtra.
(3)
Itshallbedeemedtohavecomeintoforceonthe28thApril2015.
(4)
ItshallapplytosuchPublicAuthoritieswhichprovidepublicservicesto
theeligiblepersonsaspertheprovisionsofanylaws,rules,notifications,orders,
Government
Resolutions
oranyotherinstruments.
2.
InthisAct,unlessthecontextotherwiserequires,—
(a)
“ChiefCommissioner”or“Commissioner”meanstheStateChiefCommissioner
forRighttoServiceortheStateCommissionerforRighttoService,asthecasemaybe,
appointed
under
sub-section
(2)ofsection13;
(b)
“Commission”
means
theMaharashtraStateCommissionforRighttoService
constituted
under
sub-section
(7)ofsection13;
(c)
“Competent
Authority”
means
theDisciplinaryAuthorityortheControlling
Officer,asthecasemaybe;
(d)
“Department”
means
a
Department
oftheStateGovernmentorofa
Public
Authority,
asthecasemaybe;
'
For
Statement
ofObjectsandReasons(English)seel¥laliaraslitraGovernmentGa--ette,2015,Part
V-A
Extraordinary
No.
25,
dated
14th
July
2015,p.3.
H
-87-2(r)
Shori
title,
exten
t,
commence-
ment
and
application.
Definitions.

2
Maharashtra
R
fghttoPublicServicesAct,2015
[2015:
Mah.
XXXI
(e)
“Designated
Officer”
means
anofficerwhoisrequiredtoprovidepublic
services
totheeligibleperson;
(/)
“Divisional
Commissioner”
means
the
Commissioner
appointed
by
the
StateGovernmentundersection6
oftheMaharashtraLandRevenueCode,1966;
g)
“eligible
person”
means
a
person
who
iseligibleforobtaininga
public
service
and
alsoincludesa
legalperson;
(h)
“FirstAppellateAuthority”meansanofficerappointedbytheconcerned
Public
Authority
under
sub-section
(7)ofsection8;
(i)
“Government”
or“StateGovernment”meanstheGovernmentofMaharashtra;
(/)
“local
authority”
means
any
authority,
Municipal
Corporation,
Municipal
Council,
Nagar
Panchayat,
Industrial
Township,
Planning
Authority,
ZillaParishad,
Panchayat
Samiti
and
Village
Panchayat
and
otherlocalself-Governmentsconstimted
bylaw;andalsoincludesDevelopmentAuthoritiesorotherstatutoryornon-statutory
bodies;
(k)
“prescribed”
means
prescribed
bytherulesmadeunderthisAct;
(f)
“Public
Authority”
means,—
(a)
anyDepartmentorauthoritiesoftheGovernment,
(b)
any
organisation
orauthorityorbodyorcorporationorinstitutionor
a
localauthority,establishedorconstituted,—
(i)
byorundertheConstitutionofIndia,intheState;
(ii)
byanyotherlawmadebytheStateLegislature;
(iii)bynotificationissuedbytheGovernment;
(c)
and
includes,—
(i)
an
institution,a
co-operative
society,a
Government
Company
oran
authority
owned,
controlled
orfinancedbytheStateGovernment;or
(ii)
any
non-Governmental
organization
receiving
financial
assistance
from
theStateGovernment;
(m)
“public
services”
means
such
services
asmaybenotifiedbythePublic
Authority
under
section
3;
(ri)
“righttoservice”meansrightofaneligiblepersontoobtainthepublic
services
within
thestipulatedtimelitnitasnotifiedbythePublicAuthority,from
timetotime;
Matt.
XLI
of
1966.

2015:
Mah.
XXXI]
Maharashtra
Righl
toPublicServicesAct,2015
(o)
“Second
Appellate
Authority”
means
anofficerappointedbytheconcerned
Public
Authority
under
sub-section
t2)ofsection8;
(p)
“stipulated
time
limit”meansthetimelimitasnotifiedundersection3
within
which
thepublicserviceistobeprovidedbytheDesignatedOfficertoany
eligibleperson.
3.
(/)
The
PublicAuthorityshall,withina
period
ofthreemonthsfromthedate
ofcommencementofthisAct,andthereafterfromtimetotime,notifythepublic
services
rendered
by
italongwithDesignatedOfficers,FirstandSecondAppellate
Authorities
andstipulatedtimelimit.
(2)
The
Public
Authority
shalldisplayorcausetobedisplayedonthenotice
board
oftheofficeandalsoonitswebsiteorportal,ifany,thelistofthepublic
services
rendered
byitalongwiththedetailsofthestipulatedtimelimit,formorfee,if
any,DesignatedOfficers,FirstAppellateAuthoritiesandSecondAppellateAuthorities.
4.
(/)
Subjecttothelegal,technicalandfinancialfeasibility,everyeligibleperson
shallhavea
righttoobtainpublicservicesintheStateinaccordancewiththisAct,
withinthestipulatedtimelimit.
(2)
Subject
tothelegal,technicalandfinancialfeasibility,everyDesignated
Officer
ofthePublicAuthorityshallprovidethepublicservicestotheeligibleperson,
withinthestipulatedtimelimit:
Provided
that,thestipulatedtimelimitmaybeextendedbytheStateGovernment
during
theperiodofelectionaswellasinnaturalcalamitiestosuchextent,asmay
beprescribed.
5.
(/)
An
application
forobtainingpublicservicesmaybemadebyanyeligible
person
totheDesignatedOfficer.Thereceiptofanapplicationshallbedulyacknow-
ledged
and
theapplicantshallbeintimatedinwritingorthroughelectronicmeans,
specifying
dateandplaceofreceiptofapplication,uniqueapplicationnumberalongwith
stipulated
time
limitforthedisposalofsuchapplication.Thestipulatedtimeshallbe
counted
from
thedatewhentherequisiteapplication,completeinallrespects,for
obtaining
thepublicserviceisreceivedbytheDesignatedOfficerora
person
who
is
duly
authorised
toreceivetheapplication.
t2)
TheDesignatedOfficershall,onreceiptofanapplicationundersub-section(/),
eitherdirectlyprovideorsanctionthepublicservicewithinthestipulatedtimelimit
orrejecttheapplicationafterrecordingthereasonsinwritingforsuchrejection.
The
Designated
Officer
shallalsocommunicateinwritingtotheapplicantabout
theperiodwithinwhichanappealmaybemadeagainsthisorderandthename,
designation
and
officialaddressoftheFirstAppellateAuthority.
Public
services,
Designated
Officers,
Appellate
Authorities
and
stipulated
time
limit
tobe
notified.
Right
to
obtain
publie
services
within
stipulated
timeIinnit.
Provid
ing
public
services
within
stipulated
time
lintit.

Monitoring
status
of
application.
Use
of
Information
Tech
nology
for
delivery
ofpublic
services.
Appoint
ment
ofAppellate
Author
ities.
Appeal.
4
Maharashtra
Right
toPublicServicesAct,2015
[2015:
Mah.
XXXI
6.
(/)
Every
eligiblepersonhavingappliedforanypublicservicesshallbe
provided
with
unique
application
number
by
theconcernedPublicAuthoritysothat
hecanmonitorstatusofhisapplicationonline,wheresuchsystemisinoperation.
(2)
Every
Public
Authority
shallbedutyboundtoupdatethestatusofall
applications
regarding
publicservicesonline,wheresuchsystemisinoperation.
7,
The
Government
shall
encourage
and
aspire
allthePublicAuthorities
toutiliseInformationTechnologytodelivertheirrespectivepublicserviceswithin
thestipulatedtimelimit.
8.
(7)
The
Public
Authority
shallappointanofficernotbelowtherankof
Group
“B”
oritsequivalentrank,whoissuperiorinranktotheDesignatedOfficer,
toactasFirstAppellateAuthoritytohearanddecidetheappealfiledbyaneligible
person
againstrejectionofhisapplicationordelayinprovidingpublicservices,after
following
dueprocedureasmaybeprescribed.
(2)
ThePublicAuthorityshallappointanofficerwhoissuperiorinranktotheFirst
Appellate
Authority,
toactasSecondAppellateAuthoritytohearanddecidetheappeal
filedbyaneligiblepersonaswellasbytheDesignatedOfficeragainsttheorderofthe
FirstAppellateAuthority.
9.
(/)
Any
eligibleperson,whoseapplicationisrejectedundersub-section(2)
ofsection5
orwhoisnotprovidedthepublicservicewithinthestipulatedtimelimit,
may
fileanappealbeforetheFirstAppellateAuthoritywithintheperiodofthirty
days
from
thedateofreceiptof,orderofrejectionoftheapplicationor,theexpiry
ofthestipulatedtimelimit:
Provided
that,theFirstAppellateAuthoritymay,inexceptionalcases,admitthe
appeal
even
aftertheexpiryoftheperiodofthirtydays,subjecttothemaximumperiod
ofninetydays,ifitissatisfiedthattheAppellantwaspreventedbysufficientcause
from
filingtheappealintime.
(2)
The
FirstAppellateAuthoritymaydirecttheDesignatedOfficertoprovide
theservicetotheeligiblepersonwithinsuchperiodashemayspecifyinhisorder
butwhichshallnotordinarilyexceedthestipulatedtimelimit,orhemayrejectthe
appealwithintheperiodofthirtydaysfromthedateoffilingoftheappeal,afterrecording
thereasonsinwritingforsuchrejection:
Provided
that,beforedecidingtheappeal,theFirstAppellateAuthorityshallgive
anopportunityofbeingheardtotheAppellantaswellastotheDesignatedOfficer
oranyofhissubordinatedulyauthorizedforthispurpose.
(3)A
second
appeal
against
theorderoftheFirstAppellateAuthorityshalllie
totheSecondAppellateAuthoritywithintheperiodofthirtydaysfromthedateon
which
theorderoftheFirstAppellateAuthorityisreceivedorafterforty-fivedays
from
thedateoffilingofthefirstappealincasewheretheAppellantdoesnot
receive
anyorderfromtheFirstAppellateAuthority:

5
of
1908.
5
2015:
Mah.
XXXI]
Maharashtra
Right
toPublicServicesAct,2015
Provided
that,theSecondAppellateAuthoritymay,inexceptionalcases,admit
theappealevenaftertheexpiryoftheperiodofthirtydaysorforty-fivedays,asthe
case
may
be,subjecttothemaximumperiodofninetydays,ifitissatisfiedthat
theAppellantwaspreventedbysufficientcausefromfilingtheappealintime.
(4)
The
Second
Appellate
Authority
may
direct
theDesignatedOfficerto
provide
theservicetotheAppellantwithinsuchperiodashemayspecifyinhis
order
orhemayrejecttheappealwithintheperiodofforty-fivedaysfromthedate
offilingoftheappeal,afterrecordingreasonsinwritingforsuchrejection:
Provided
that,beforeissuinganyorder,theSecondAppellateAuthorityshall
give
an
opportunity
ofbeingheardtotheAppellantaswellastotheDesignated
Officer
oranyofhissubordinatedulyauthorisedforthispurpose.
(5)
The
FirstAppellateAuthorityandSecondAppellateAuthoritywhiledeciding
anappealunderthissection,shallhavethesamepowersasarevestedincivilcourt
while
tryinga
suitundertheCodeofCivilProcedure,1908inrespectofthefollowing
matters,namely:—
(a)
requiring
theproductionandinspectionofdocumentsorrecords;
(b)
issuingsummonsforhearing;and
(c)
anYothermatterwhichmaybeprescribed.
10.(/){a)
IftheFirstAppellateAuthorityisoftheopinionthattheDesignated
Officer
has
failedtoprovidepublicservicewithoutsufficientandreasonablecause,
then
he
shallimposea
penalty
which
shallnotbelessthanrupeesfivehundred,
butwhichmayextendtorupeesfivethousand,orofsuchamountasmayberevised
bytheStateGovernment,fromtimetotime,bynotificationintheOfficialGazette.
{b)
IftheSecondAppellateAuthorityisalsooftheopinionthattheDesignated
Officer
has
made
default
inprovidingthepublicservicewithinthestipulatedtime
limitwithoutsufficientandreasonablecause,hemayconfirmorvarythepenalty
imposed
bytheFirstAppellateAuthority,afterrecordingreasonsinwriting
Provided
that,theDesignatedOfficershallbegivena
reasonable
opportunity
of
being
heard
before
any
penalty
isimposedonhimbytheFirstAppellateAuthority
orSecondAppellateAuthority.
(2)
IftheChiefCommissionerortheCommissionerisoftheopinionthatthe
FirstAppellateAuthorityhadrepeatedlyfailedtodecidetheappealwithinthespecified
time
without
any
sufficient
and
reasonable
cause,
orundulytriedtoprotectthe
erring
Designated
Officer,
then
he
shallimposea
penalty
on
the
FirstAppellate
Authority
which
shallnotbelessthanrupeesfivehundred,butwhichmayextendto
rupees
fivethousand,orofsuchamountasmayberevisedbytheStateGovernment,
from
timetotime,bynotificationintheOfficialGas-ette:
Penalty.

Procedure
for
recovery
of
penalty.
Procedure
forfixing
responsib
ility
p
Designated
Officer
for
repeated
failures.
Consti
tution
Mattaraslitra
State
Right
toService
Cornmiss
ion.
6
Mahcirashtra
Right
toPublicServicesAcl,2015
[2015:
Mah.
XXXI
Provided
that,theFirstAppellateAuthorityshallbegivena
reasonable
opportunity
ofbeingheardbeforeanypenaltyisimposedonhim.
11.
The
Appellate
Authority
concerned
ortheCommissionshallcommunicateto
the
Designated
Officer
ortheFirstAppellateAuthority,aswellastothePublic
Authority
about
theamountofpenaltyimposedinwriting.TheDesignatedOfficer
ortheFirstAppellateAuthority,asthecasemaybe,shallpaytheamountofpenalty
withina
period
ofthirtydaysfromthedateofreceiptofsuchcommunication,failing
which
theCompetentAuthorityshallrecovertheamountofpenaltyfromthesalary
oftheconcernedDesignatedOfficerortheFirstAppellateAuthority,asthecasemaybe.
12.
(I)
The
Competent
Authority,
afterreceivinganintimationfromtheSecond
Appellate
Authority
about
therepeatedfailurescommittedbytheconcernedDesignated
Officer
toprovidepublicservicesorrepeateddelaysinprovidingpublicservicesas
wellasrepeatedfailuretocomplywiththedirectionoftheAppellateAuthorities,shall
issuea
show
cause
noticetotheDesignatedOfficerwithina
period
offifteendays,
whya
disciplinary
actionshouldnotbeinitiatedagainsthim.TheCompetentAuthority
shall
initiateappropriatedisciplinaryproceedingsagainsttheDesignatedOfficer
under
theConductandDisciplineRulesasapplicable.
(2)
The
Designated
Officer
against
whom
such
notice
isissuedmayrepresent
totheCompetentAuthorityconcerned,withina
period
offifteendaysfromthe
date
ofreceiptofsuchnotice.Incasenosuchrepresentationisreceivedbythe
Competent
Authority
within
thespecifiedperiodorexplanationreceivedisnotfound
satisfactory,theCompetentAuthorityshallproceedwiththedepartmentalinquiryas
laiddownintheConductandDisciplinaryRulesofthePublicAuthority:
Provided
that,iftheCompetentAuthorityfindsreasonableandjustifiedgrounds
infavouroftheDesignatedOfficerandcomestotheconclusionthatthedelayin
deliveryofservicestotheeligiblepersonwasnotattributabletohim,butwasattributable
tosomeotherDesignatedOfficer,itshallbelawfulfortheCompetentAuthorityto
withdraw
thenoticeagainsthim.
{3)
While
fixingtheresponsibilityonsuchDesignatedOfficerunderthisAct,
theCompetentAuthorityshallfollowtheprinciplesofnaturaljusticebeforepassing
the
order
inthatrespectandgivereasonableopportunityofbeingheardtothe
Designated
Officer.
13.
(7)
The
StateGovernmentshall,bynotificationintheOfficialGa-ette,
constitute
forthepurposesofthisAct,a
Commission
tobecalledas“theMaharashtra
StateCommissionforRighttoService”:
Provided
that,tillthetimetheCommissionisconstitutedbytheStateGovernment,
theGovernmentmay,bynotificationinthe0
ciafGa-ette,entrustthepowersand
functions
oftheCommissiontotheDivisionalCommissionersineachRevenueDivision
oranyotherGovernmentOfficer.

7
2015:
Matt.XXXI]
Mcillarashtra
Right
toPublicServicesAct,2015
(2)
The
Maharashtra
StateRighttoServiceCommissionshallconsistsof,—
(a)
theStateChiefCommissionerforRighttoServicehavingjurisdiction
forMumbaiCityDistrictandMumbaiSuburbanDistrict;and
(I›)oneStateCommissionerforRighttoServicehavingjurisdictionforeach
corresponding
Revenue
Division,
excluding
theareaofMumbaiCityDistrictand
Mumbai
Suburban
District.
(3)
The
Chief
Commissioner
and
theCommissionersshallbeappointedby
theGovernorontherecommendationofa
Committee
consisting
of,—
(i)
theChiefMinister,whoshallbetheChairmanoftheCommittee;
(ii)
theLeaderofOppositionintheLegislativeAssembly;and
(iii)a
Cabinet
Minister
tobenominatedbytheChiefMinister.
Explanation.—
Forthepurposesofremovalofdoubts,itisherebydeclaredthat
where
theLeaderofOppositionintheLegislativeAssemblyhasnotbeenrecognised
assuch,theLeaderofthesinglelargestgroupinoppositionintheLegislative
Assembly
shallbedeemedtobetheLeaderofOpposition.
(4)
The
general
superintendence,
direction
and
management
oftheaffairsof
theCommissionshallvestintheChiefCommissionerwhoshallbeassistedbythe
Commissioners
and
hemayexerciseallsuchpowersanddoallsuchactswhichmay
beexercisedordonebytheCommission.
(5)
The
Chief
Commissioner
and
the
Commissioners
shall
be
persons
of
eminence
inpubliclifewithwideknowledgeandexperienceinadministrationin
Government
orPublicAuthority.
(d)
The
Chief
Commissioner
ora
Commissioner
shallnotbea
Member
of
Parliament
orMemberoftheLegislatureofanyStateorholdanyotherofficeof
profitorconnectedwithanypoliticalpartyorcarryingonanybusinessorprofession.
(Z)
The
headquarters
oftheCommissionshallbeatMumbaiandtheofficesofthe
Commissioners
shallbeateveryRevenueDivision.
14.
(/)
The
Chief
Commissioner
andtheCommissionersshallholdofficefora
term
offiveyearsfromthedateonwhichtheyenterupontherespectiveoffices,or
untiltheyattaintheageofsixty-fiveyears,whicheverisearlier,andshallnotbeentitled
forre-appointment.
(2)
The
Chief
Commissioner
ora
Commissioner
shall,beforeheentersuponhis
office,makeandsubscribebeforetheGovernororsomeotherpersonappointedby
him
inthatbehalf,anoathoraffirmationaccordingtotheprescribedForm.
Term
of
office
and
conditions
ofservice.

Remova
1
ofChief
Commissioner
or
Commissioners.
8
Maharcishtra
Right
toPublicServicesAct,2015
[2015:
Mah.
XXXI
(3)
The
Chief
Commissioner
ora
Commissioner
may,
atanytime,bywriting
under
hishandaddressedtotheGovernor,resignfromhisoffice.
(4)
The
salariesandallowancespayabletoandothertermsandconditionsof
serviceoftheChiefCommissionerandtheCommissionersshallbethesameasthoseof
StateChiefInformationCommissionerandtheChiefSecretarytotheStateGovernment,
respectively.
No
pensionary
benefitsorotherpost-retirementbenefitsshallaccruefrom
thepostsofChiefCommissionerora
Commissioner,
asthecasemaybe:
Provided
that,iftheChiefCommissionerora
Commissioner,
atthetimeofhis
appointment
isinreceiptofa
pension,
otherthana
disabilityorwoundpension,in
respect
ofanypreviousserviceundertheGovernmentofIndiaorundertheState
Government,
hissalaryinrespectoftheserviceastheChiefCommissionerora
Commissioner
shallbereducedbytheamountofthatpensionincludinganyportion
ofpensionwhichwascommutedandpensionequivalentofotherformsofretirement
benefits
excluding
pension
equivalent
ofretirementgratuity:
Provided
furtherthat,wheretheChiefCommissionerora
Commissioner
if,atthe
timeofhisappointment,isinreceiptofretirementbenefitsinrespectofanyprevious
service
rendered
inGovernmentorCorporationestablishedbyorunderanyCentral
ActorStateActora
Government
Company
owned
orcontrolledbytheCentralGovern-
ment
ortheStateGovernment,hissalaryinrespectoftheserviceastheChief
Commissioner
ortheCommissionershallbereducedbytheamountofpension
equivalent
totheretirementbenefits:
Provided
alsothat,thesalaries,allowancesandotherconditionsofserviceofthe
Chief
Commissioner
and
theCommissionersshallnotbevariedtotheirdisadvantage
aftertheirappointments.
(5)
TheGovernmentshallprovidetheChiefCommissionerandtheCommissioners
with
such
officersandemployeesasmaybenecessaryfortheefficientperformance
oftheirfunctionsunderthisAct,andthesalariesandallowancespayabletoandthe
terms
and
conditions
ofserviceoftheofficersandotheremployeesappointedfor
thepurposesofthisActshallbesuchasmaybeprescribed.
15.
(/)
Notwithstanding
anything
contained
inthisAct,theGovernormay,by
order
remove
from
officeoftheChiefCommissioneroranyCommissioner,ifthe
Chief
Commissioner
ora
Commissioner,
asthecasemaybe,—
(a)
isadjudgedaninsolvent;or
(b)
hasbeenconvictedofanoffencewhich,intheopinionoftheGovernor,
involves
moral
turpitude;or
{c)
engages
duringhistermofofficeinanypaidemploymentoutsidetheduties
ofhisoffice;or

9
2015:
Mah.
XXXI
Maharashtra
Right
toPublicServicesAct,2015
(d)
is,intheopinionoftheGovernor,unfittocontinueinofficebyreason
ofinfirmityofmindorbody;or
(e)
hasacquiredsuchfinancialorotherinterestasislikelytoaffectprejudicially
hisfunctionsastheChiefCommissionerora
Commissioner.
(2)
Notwithstanding
anything
contained
insub-section(/),theChiefCommissioner
oranyCommissioner,shallnotberemovedfromhisoffice,unlessa
reference
ismade
bytheStateGovernmenttotheChiefJusticeofHighCourtofJudicatureatBombay
seeking
anenquiryandrecommendationontheproposedremovaloftheChiefCommi-
ssioner
ortheCommissioneralongwiththegroundsfortheremovalandmaterial
supporting
such
proposal.
16.
(?)
ItshallbethedutyoftheCommissiontoensureproperimplementation
ofthisActandtomakesuggestionstotheStateGovernmentforensuringbetter
delivery
ofpublicservices.Forthispurpose,theCommissionmay,—
(a)
takeatiomornnoticeoffailuretodeliverpublicservicesinaccordance
withthisActandrefersuchcasesfordisposalasitmaydeemappropriate;
(b)
carry
out
inspections
ofofficesentrustedwiththedeliveryofpublic
services
and
theofficesoftheFirstAppellateAuthorityandtheSecondAppellate
Authority;
(c)
recommend
Departmental
inquiry
against
any
Designated
Officer
or
Appellate
Authorities
who
have
failedinduedischargeoffunctionscastonthem
under
thisAct;
(d)
recommend
changes
inproceduresfordeliveryofpublicserviceswhich
willmakethedeliverymoretransparentandeasier:
Provided
that,beforemakingsucha
recommendation,
theCommissionshall
consult
theAdministrativeSecretaryin-chargeoftheDepartmentwhichistodeliver
thepublicservice;
(e)
recommend
stepstobetakenbythePublicAuthoritiesforefficientdelivery
ofpublicservices;
J)
monitor
delivery
ofthepublicservicesbyPublicAuthorities;
(g)
hearanddecidetheappealfiledbeforeitaspersection18.
(2)
The
Commission
shall,whileinquiringintoanymatterunderthissection,
have
thesamepowersasarevestedina
CivilCourtwhiletryinga
suitunderthe
5
ofCodeofCivilProcedure,1908,inrespectofthefollowingmatters,namely:
1908.
(a)
summoning
and
enforcing
theattendanceofpersons,compellingthem
togiveoralorwrittenevidenceonoathandproducingdocumentsorthings;
H-87-3
Powers
and
functions
of
Commiss
ion.

Action
by
Government
recom
men-
dations
CO
mm
ISSiOIl.
Appeal
to
Commiss
ion.
Annual
report.
Developing
culture
to
deliver
public
services
within
stipulated
10
Mciharcishtra
Right
toPublicServicesAct,2015
[2015:
Matt.XXXI
(b)
requiring
thediscoveryandinspectionofdocuments;
(c)
receiving
evidence
onaffidavits;
(d’)requisitioninganypublicrecordsorcopiesthereoffromanycourtoroffice;
te)
issuingsummonsforexaminationofwitnessesordocuments;and
(/)
anyothermatterwhichmaybeprescribed.
17.
The
State
Government
shallconsidertherecommendationsmadebythe
Commission
under
clauses
(c),(d)and(e)ofsub-section(/)ofsection16andsent
information
totheCommissionofactiontakenwithina
period
ofthirtydaysorsuch
timethereafterasmaybedecidedinconsultationwiththeCommission.
18.
(7)
The
eligiblepersonortheDesignatedOfficerbeingaggrievedbyan
orderofSecondAppellateAuthoritymayfileanappealbeforetheCommissionwithin
theperiodofsixtydaysfromthedateofreceiptofsuchorder.
(2)
The
Chief
Commissioner
ortheCommissioner,asthecasemaybe,shall
dispose
ofsuchappealwithina
period
ofninetydaysfromthedateofreceiptof
theappeal,aftergivingallthepartiesanopportunityofbeingheard.TheCommission
may
impose
thepenaltyontheDesignatedOfficerorFirstAppellateAuthorityorvary
orcancelthepenaltyimposedandmayordertorefundsuchpenaltypaid,ifany.
19.
(7)
The
Commission
shall,aftertheendofeachfinancialyear,preparea
report
on
itsworkingduringtheprecedingyearaswellasontheevaluationof
performance
ofdeliveryofpublicservicesbythePublicAuthoritiesandpresentthe
same
totheStateGovernment.
(2)
The
StateGovernmentshalllaytheannualreportpresentedbytheCommission
before
each
House
oftheStateLegislature.
20.
(/)
AllPublicAuthoritiesmaytaketimeboundeffectivestepstoreducethe
demand
fromaneligiblepersonstosubmitvariouscertificates,documents,affidavits,etc.
forobtainingpublicservices.ThePublicAuthorityshallmakeconcertedeffortstoobtain
requisiteinformationdirectlyfromotherDepartmentsorPublicAuthorities.
(2)
The
failureonthepartoftheDesignatedOfficertodeliverpublicservices
within
stipulated
time
limitshallnotbecountedtowardsmisconductasthepurpose
and
theaimistosensitizetheDesignatedOfficerstowardstheaspirationsofthe
eligiblepersonsandtouseinformationtechnologyandadopte-governanceculture
todeliverthepublicservicestotheeligiblepersonswithinstipulatedtimelimit.

11
2015:
Mah.
XXXI]
Maharashtra
Right
toPtiblicServicesAct,2015
(3)
On
receiptofcommunicationinwritingfromtheSecondAppellateAuthority
ortheChiefCommissionerortheCommissioner,asthecasemaybe,regardingrepeated
defaultsonthepartoftheDesignatedOfficer,theheadofthePublicAuthorityconcerned
shallbecompetenttotakeappropriateadministrativeactionafterrecordinga
finding
tothateffect,butnotbeforegivinga
show
cause
noticeandanoppominityofbeing
heard
tothedefaultingofficer.
Explanation.—
For
thepurposeofthissub-section,a
Designated
Officer
shall
bedeemedtobea
repeated
defaulter,
ifhecommitstenpercent.defaultsintotal
eligiblecaseshehasreceivedina
year.
{4)
AlltheDesignatedOfficersandAppellateAuthoritiesshallundergoa
periodic
training
toenhanceandensuretimebounddeliveryofthepublicservices.The
StateGovernmentshallfacilitatethetrainingprocessforallconcernedofficersandit
may
bepartofsyllabusinfoundationcourseoftheofficersoremployees.
(5)(a)
To
encourage
and
enhance
theefficiencyoftheDesignatedOfficer,
theheadofthePublicAuthoritymaygrantcashincentiveofsuchamountasmay
be
notified
by
theGovernmenttoa
Designated
Officer
against
whom
no
default
isreportedina
year
and
who
isdeliveringpublicserviceswithinthestipulatedtime
limitalongwitha
Certificate
ofAppreciationandalsotakea
corresponding
entryin
theservicerecordoftheconcernedofficer.
tb)
The
State
Government
may
give
appropriate
awards
tofelicitatethe
Public
Authorities
which
perform
bestinachievingthepurposesofthisAct.
21.
The
Government
shallallocateadequatefundsforimplementationofthe
provisions
ofthisActandfortrainingoftheDesignatedOfficers,AppellateAuthorities
andtheirstaff.
22.
The
provisions
ofsections9,12andsub-section(3)ofsection20ofthisAct
shallbesupplementaltothedisciplinaryandfinancialrulesandsuchotherservice
rulesandregulationsasapplicabletotheemployeesoftheGovernmentorPublic
Authority
concerned,
asthecasemaybe.
23.
Ifaneligiblepersondeliberatelygivesfalseorfrivolousinformationinthe
application
orsubmitsfalsedocumentsalongwiththeapplicationandobtainthe
public
services
under
thisActonthebasisofsuchinformationordocuments,inthat
caseanactionshallbetakenagainsthimundertherelevantprovisionsofthepenal
lawinforce.
24.
The
StateGovernmentmayissuetothePublicAuthoritysuchgeneralor
special
directions
inwritingforthepurposeofeffectiveimplementationofthisAct
and
thePublicAuthorityshallbeboundtofollowandactuponsuchdirections.
25.
No
suit,prosecutionorotherlegalproceedingsshalllieagainstanyperson
foranythingwhichisdoneorpurportedtohavebeendoneingoodfaithinpursuance
oftheprovisionsofthisActortherulesmadethereunder.
Allocation
offunds.
Provisions
tobe
supplemental
todisciplinary
rules.
Action
against
eligibleperson
forgiving
false
or
frivolous
information,
etc.
Power
of
Government
toissue
directions.
Protect
ion
of
nction
taken
ingoodfaith.

Bar
of
jurisdiction.
Act
to
override
other
laws.
Power
to
make
rules.
Power
to
remove
difficulties.
Repeal
ofMah.
Ord.V
of2015and
12
Maharashtra
Right
toPtfb/irServicesAct,2015
[2015
Mah.
XXXI
26.
No
civilcourt,tribunalorotherauthoritiesshallhavejurisdictioninrespectof
any
matter
which
theCommissionandtheAppellateAuthoritiesareempoweredby
orunderthisActtodetermine.
27.
InrelationtotheservicesnotifiedunderthisActanditsimplementation,
theprovisionsofthisActshallhaveeffectnotwithstandinganythinginconsistent
therewith
contained
inanyotherlawforthetimebeinginforceorinanyrules
having
effectbyvirtueofanylawotherthanthisAct.
28.
(I)
The
Government
may,subjecttotheconditionofpreviouspublication,by
notification
intheOfficialGa=-ette,makerulestocarryoutthepurposesofthisAct.
(2)
Every
rulemadeunderthisAct,shallbelaid,assoonasmaybe,afteritis
made,
before
each
House
oftheStateLegislature,whileitisinsessionfora
total
period
ofthirtydays,whichmaybecomprisedinonesessionorintwoormore
successive
sessions,
and
if,beforetheexpiryofthesessioninwhichitissolaid
orthesessionimmediatelyfollowing,bothHousesagreeinmakinganymodification
inanyruleorbothHousesagreethattheruleshouldnotbemade,andnotify
theirdecisiontothateffectintheOfficialGazette,theruleshall,fromthedateof
publication
ofa
notification
intheOfficalGas-ette,ofsuchdecisionhaveeffectonly
insuchmodifiedformorbeofnoeffect,asthecasemaybe;so,however,thatany
such
modification
orannulmentshallbewithoutprejudicetothevalidityofanything
previously
done
oromittedtobedoneunderthatrule.
29.
(/)
IfanydifficultyarisesingivingeffecttotheprovisionsofthisAct,the
State
Government
may,
asoccasionarises,byanorderpublishedintheOfficial
Ga-ette,
do
anything
notinconsistentwiththeprovisionsofthisAct,whichappears
toittobenecessaryorexpedientforthepurposeofremovingthedifficulty:
Provided
that,nosuchordershallbemadeaftertheexpiryofa
period
oftwo
years
from
thecommencementofthisAct.
(2)
Every
order
made
under
sub-section
(/)shallbelaid,assoonasmaybe,
afteritismade,beforeeachHouseoftheStateLegislature.
30.
(/)
The
Maharashtra
Right
toPublicServicesOrdinance,2015ishereby
repealed.
(2)
Notwithstanding
such
repeal,anythingdoneoranyactiontaken(including
any
notification
ororderissued)underthesaidOrdinanceshallbedeemedtohave
been
done,
taken
orissued,asthecasemaybe,underthecorrespondingprovisions
ofthisAct.
PRINTE
D
AT
THE
GOVERNMENT
PRESS,
WAI.
G.
P.Wai—7Pages4,060Bks.—4-2018—H-87*
Matt.
Ord.V
of
2015.

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