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Democracy is only as strong as their citizens, their rights and the extent to which they are empowered. The recently passed citizen amendment bill in the Delhi Assembly goes a long way in empowering citizens, holding public servants accountable and strengthening Democracy. The bill is wonderful experiment in strengthening citizens, streamlining services and fixing accountability.

Some of the important provisions of the bill include removal of burden of proof of paying compensation from the citizen to now a compulsory cost imposed on the public servant who will need to pay up. This provision will revolutionize the pace at which service will be provided, something which has been lackadaisical for long. The payment for the same is to be done on time bound manner failure of which will result in doubling of the fine payable to the concerned citizen. On the flip side, officers who provide services on time will receive their due recognition for the same.

The complete digitization and free issuance of forms will further shrink the space and potential for bribery besides keeping out middlemen and benefiting senior citizens as the wait in the queues will be a thing of the past. The provisions also include the time frame in which the money has to be paid up by the public servant. Other provisions include competent authority assigned for the purpose of implementing the bill and authorities for appellate authority.

The Logical Indian commends the Delhi Government for its pro-citizen legislation, intention to weed out corruption and ensuring time bound services for its citizens, something which has been elusive for long. We request the Delhi Government to implement the bill in its letter and spirit and perhaps Delhi could be the first corruption free and citizen friendly state of India.