The Jammu and Kashmir government has denotified five services previously covered under the Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA), removing their stipulated timelines and designated officers.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the services affected include the issuance of VAT-65 Form, tax clearance certificates for supply contracts in Form VAT-46, and tax clearance certificates for work contracts in Form 5T-64, all falling under the Finance Department’s Excise and Taxation wing. Additionally, services related to Grid Connected Rooftop Solar (Residential) and the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme from the Science and Technology Department have also been removed from the Act’s purview.
The notification, issued by the Commissioner Secretary of the General Administration Department (GAD), M Raju, stated that these actions were taken in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 4 read with Section 8 of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Services Guarantee Act, 2011. The Act was designed to ensure the time-bound delivery of certain public services to citizens.
The Public Services Guarantee Act, enacted in 2011, aimed to provide a legal framework for citizens to receive government services within a specified period. It mandated the appointment of designated officers responsible for providing these services and appellate authorities to address grievances in cases of delays or denials. The inclusion of these services under the Act was intended to enhance transparency and accountability in their delivery.
The Finance Department’s Excise and Taxation wing typically handles tax-related documentation, which includes forms essential for businesses operating within the region. The VAT-65 Form, for instance, is likely related to value-added tax procedures, while tax clearance certificates are crucial for contractors to demonstrate their compliance with tax obligations before undertaking supply or work contracts. The removal of these services from the PSGA suggests a potential shift in how these processes are managed or a re-evaluation of their classification as essential public services requiring guaranteed timelines.
Similarly, the Science and Technology Department’s involvement with Grid Connected Rooftop Solar (Residential) and the PM-KUSUM scheme indicates that services related to renewable energy initiatives for residential and agricultural sectors are no longer subject to the Act’s provisions. The PM-KUSUM scheme, a national initiative, aims to promote solar energy adoption in the country, particularly for farmers. The inclusion of its related services under the PSGA in Jammu and Kashmir previously ensured timely processing of applications or approvals for such projects.
The denotification implies that these specific government services will now operate under different administrative procedures, potentially without the same strict adherence to predefined timelines and designated officials as guaranteed by the PSGA. The rationale behind this decision from the administration is not elaborated upon in the notification, leaving the specific reasons for de-notifying these services open to interpretation.
Officials privy to administrative matters indicated that such decisions are often based on reviews of service delivery mechanisms, potential overlaps with other regulatory frameworks, or a reassessment of operational necessities. The General Administration Department typically oversees the implementation of the PSGA across various government departments in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Jammu and Kashmir Public Services Guarantee Act, 2011, has been instrumental in bringing about a degree of predictability and assurance in accessing various government services. The de-notification of these five services marks a significant administrative adjustment, the implications of which on public access and service delivery efficiency are yet to be fully observed.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
