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Nagpur News:
Vidarbha Taxpayers Association (VTA) had been constantly persuading State Government to follow High Court order in Public Interest Litigation (PIL) 50/2011, wherein court had directed Government of Maharashtra to form ‘Rules’ for “Maharashtra Government Servants Regulation of Transfers and Prevention of Delay in Discharge of Official Duties Act, 2005” more commonly known as Citizens Charter Act without further delay in its Order dated 21.12.2011.
However despite of repeated reminders by VTA to State Government, when it was found that the Hon’ble High Court’s Order has not been followed, VTA through its secretary Tejinder Singh Renu filed Contempt Petition No. 15/2013, wherein Notices were issued against respondents Prithviraj Chavan – Chief Minister, K. P. Bakshi – Principal Secretary, General Administration Department (GAD) and V. L. Achaliya – the then Principal Secretary, Law & Judiciary Department, Mantralaya, Mumbai by High Court on 04.02.2013. Counsel for VTA being advocate Harnish Gadhia.
An affidavit came to be filed on record by State Government through Dr. P. S. Meena, Additional Chief Secretary GAD on 13.03.2013, wherein apart from Government’s attempts to prepare ‘Rules’ where mentioned, further more allegations were made that the petitioner has made incorrect parties with intention to gain publicity.
On 12.06.2013, Justice A. B. Chaudhari issued show cause notice as to why cost of Rs.50,000 be imposed on petitioner on being satisfied that there is no rhyme or reason as why Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan is made party respondent in contempt proceedings and gave 2 weeks time to VTA to file reply.
On 21.06.2013, VTA counsel withdrew his power and contempt proceedings were thereafter argued by Tejinder Singh Renu in person for VTA and a detailed reply to show cause was filed, wherein in Court’s order dated 21.06.2013, the show cause notice were withdrawn.
Matter was again listed on 30.09.2013, wherein Justice A. B. Chaudhari issued Order by directing State Government to expedite the process so that the same is placed before the State Legislature in any case in the forthcoming Winter Session, for approval and on request of petitioner contempt proceedings against Respondent No.1 Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan was deleted.
However before start of winter assembly State Government enacted “Maharashtra Government Servants Regulation of Transfers and Prevention of Delay in Discharge of Official Duties Rule, 2013” by issuing Gazette Notification No. POD-1007/C.R.9/18(O&M) dated 14.11.2013 bring these accountability Act much required strength.
J. P. Sharma, President of VTA said within few months, citizens will gradually gain its knowledge and with its effective use corruption and immoral practices shall drop drastically. Similarly Citizens Charter under this act should be displayed prominently by all State Government offices for the knowledge of common man, which shall facilitate all applicants to follow-up their file movement without hurdles.
Tejinder Singh Renu, Secretary of VTA said this Accountability Act was enacted on 1st June 2006, however gaining knowledge in 2009 that its rules are not prepared by Government, we took this issue on top most priority and with continuous follow up, covering all angles, we are able to achieve this with the help of legal machinery in our country which according to me is strongest base of our democracy.
Renu said now after obtaining required bullets in form these ‘rules’, we’ll now have specific deadlines for movement of files in a government office and final disposal of a citizen’s matter. Likewise it shall also regulates transfers of government employees, which means no longer, an Officer be moved out of his Chair in just one week nor will a clerk remain glued to his chair for two decades.
Tejinder Singh Renu accordingly submitted before High Court on 06.12.2013 that since the cause of petitioner is achieved Vidarbha Taxpayers Association (VTA) does not want to press contempt any more. VTA celebrates this as a major achievement and offer gratitude to media and team VTA for wholehearted support on this issue.
