Have Public Service Delivery Laws Actually Delivered?
This paper presents an analyses of the Public Service Delivery Acts (PSDAs) that have been passed in 22 states as a measure of taking forward the good governance agenda. Various provisions of the state laws are analysed, such as the definition of public service, the number and type of schemes covered, timelines, penalties and compensation and the provisions for transparency and accountability. As a sample, the implementation of two laws are looked at in more detail, that of Bihar and Jharkhand. Finally the architecture of the PSDA is examined from the perspective of citizen rights, and suggestions for reform are presented.
