[02nd
March 2022] No.G.S.R.
12/P.A.14/2021/S.14/2022.-In exercise of the powers conferred by section 14 of
the Punjab Anti Red Tape Act, 2021 (Punjab Act No. 14 of 2021), and all other
powers enabling him in this behalf, the Governor of Punjab is pleased to make
the following rules to carry out the purposes of the said Act, namely:- (1)
These rules may be called
the Punjab Anti Red Tape Rules, 2022. (2)
They shall come into force
on and with effect from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. (1)
In these rules, unless the
context otherwise requires,- (i)
"Act" means the
Punjab Anti Red Tape Act, 2021; (ii)
"compliance" means
the Government specified processes which are to be followed, documents which
are to be attached, online or physical verifications which are required, and/
or punishments prescribed for violations; (iii)
"section" means
the section of the Act; and (iv)
"Time and Motion
Study" means by whatever name called the detailed, step by step,
understanding of processes involved in the delivery of a service. (2)
Words and expressions used
but not defined in these rules shall have the meanings respectively assigned to
them in the Act. (1)
The entity concerned shall
take necessary steps for simplification of application forms and reduction in
the number of valid documents required to be enclosed therewith for providing
every G2B or G2C Service with an aim to reduce the burden of compliances on the
businesses and the citizens. (2)
The entity concerned shall
ensure that the simplified application forms of G2B or G2C Services are reduced
to a single page, as far as possible, or the data asked for is reduced by
at-least fifty per cent by removing irrelevant or already available information
or data sought from the businesses and the citizens. (3)
The entity concerned shall
revisit the requisite documents such as certificates, documents, affidavits
which are expected to be attached with an application form with an objective to
remove the requirement of submission of those documents, which are not
essential for delivery of a given G2B or G2C Service. (4)
While implementing the
provisions of sub-rules (2) and (3), comments or inputs or feedback of the
general public may be solicited in streamlining application forms and documents
to be attached herewith. (5)
This exercise shall be done
on two-yearly basis or as required from time to time, with the help of an
expert agency or a person, if so required by the Departments, having domain
knowledge or through an internal arrangement. (6)
All entities shall endeavor
to obtain such information or verify such documents that are provided by the
citizen or business directly from the entity responsible for issue of that
document or custodian of that data electronically through data exchange. (7)
The application form shall
be made available at the office of the Designated Officer and at the Sewa
Kendras after simplification process. (8)
Downloadable copy of the
said application form and list of documents to be attached along with shall
also be made available on the website or portal of the entity. (9)
All information relating to
G2B or G2C Services, application forms and documents required for obtaining it,
shall be displayed - (i)
by the Designated Officer
and the Appellate Authorities, on the Notice Board of their offices or their
website; and (ii)
by the in-charge of Sewa
Kendra Centre, Fard Kendras Saanjh Kendras outside these centres or their
websites. (1)
The entity concerned shall
study and analyse the existing backend Government processes or procedures or
systems of every G2B or G2C Service with an objective not only to bring
improvement and efficiency in governance but also cut down processing timelines,
costs and remove redundant, duplicate or unsolicited steps. (2)
The entity concerned, while
carrying out process reforms, shall also look for ways to reduce complexities
in the workflow in terms of touchpoints, disposal days at each level, the
number of levels and the requirement of manual or digital signatures at the
time issuing certificates, license and permits. (3)
It shall be ensured that the
reformed processes are not only standardized but also clear and unambiguous. (4)
Every actor, in the workflow
of G2B or G2C Service in entity concerned, shall be accountable for his act for
disposal of a case. (5)
The entire process for
granting approval to G2B or G2C Service shall be designed or reformed in such a
manner that it adapts to modern Information Technology (IT) and e-Governance
solutions. (6)
Every entity shall ensure
that online facilities through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) shall
be extended with other entities, while sharing of data or information, to the
extent possible. (1)
Upon completion of the
stipulated time-limits and in the event of failure to act on an application or
request for a G2B or G2C Service, an extension period of additional fifty
percent (in working days) of the stipulated timelines of that service shall be
given, within which, the entity concerned shall be required to take a decision
on such application or request for the desired purpose. (2)
In case an application or
request is not processed beyond the additional period, as specified in sub-rule
(1), it shall be considered deemed approval and further process of intimation
or issuance of certificate, permit, license shall be completed. (1)
The entity concerned shall
carry out in-person inspections at the field level from where G2B or G2C
Services are rendered on six monthly basis to bring trust and confidence among
the citizens and the businesses towards service delivery. (2)
Wherever required, the
services of Third Party Agencies (TPAs) shall be taken for inspection, on the
basis of pre-defined parameters, of service delivery mechanism at field level.
On the basis of inspection report, analysis would be drawn to see whether
anything is required to remove and replace any Acts, rules or policies in respect
of any G2B and G2C service delivery. (1)
The entity concerned shall
take concrete steps, within three months from the date of commencement of these
rules, to check the involvement of external intermediaries in the supply G2B or
G2C services. (2)
The entity concerned shall
further develop and implement a system so as to overcome the issue of external
intermediaries or persona non grata. (3)
The entity concerned shall
do such actions on regular basis to prevent the external intermediaries, if
any, in the service delivery process. (4)
The steps taken and system
implemented by the entity to check the involvement of external intermediaries
shall be reviewed by a High powered Committee appointed by the Government.Punjab
Anti Red Tape Rules, 2022
The Government shall ensure that adequate safeguards are put in place to
protect the privacy of citizens at all steps involving exchange or transfer of
data with any entity.