Mumbai
Devendra Fadnavis government want legislation and policy making to be open to public scrutiny before being tabled on floor of the house
Updated : Jan 28, 2015, 07:37 AM IST
With draft bills in public domain will state laws have aam admi say?
In a major departure from established convention where law-making is an esoteric activity, the state government is planning to involve general public in the formulation of laws. To enable participative governance, the drafts of these bills may be put up in public domain to invite suggestions and objections from all quarters.
The state government has taken the first steps in this regard by putting up the draft of the sunshine Maharashtra Guarantee of Public Services Bill, 2015, which will penalise government officials who drag their feet on providing services or facilities to citizens within the stipulated time period. The state has invited suggestions and objections from the people on this draft bill.
What was the earlier practice?
According to a senior state government official, traditionally, a bill was tabled on the floor of the Assembly for approval after which only it came into the public domain. "Legislation and policy making are not open to the people at large…," pointed out the official adding that "draft laws must be open to public scrutiny." He said the thinking now was to get citizens involved in the stage of policy formulation itself.
Is this a realistic approach?
According to official sources, the government feels that since the laws are made for the people they must be involved in the process. "After all, we make laws for the people...," noted an official, adding that the draft of the bill could be put up online for inviting suggestions and objections within a stipulated time frame, after which necessary changes could be effected and the bill tabled on the floor of the assembly for approval.
Will all draft be open to public?
The state government wants at least those laws which directly concern the people at large, especially on issues of governance, be open for public discussion before being formulated into act. "Like the Maharashtra Guarantee of Public Services Bill, we may extend this to other laws as well," said an official, adding that however, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis would take the final call in this regard. "Otherwise, making amendments to a law is a long process," the official pointed out.
Where all can public read them?
Chief Secretary Swadhin Kshatriya confirmed that like the public services bill, he would request the chief minister for a public, consultative process regarding other laws as well. Sources said apart from the state government's official website, the state could also put up draft laws and policies on the recently launched 'Aaple Aarkar' app and portal. The collaborative app and portal, which were launched on Monday by Fadnavis, will enable citizens to lodge grievances, exchange ideas and make suggestions.