Delhi govt's 'services-at-your-doorstep' scheme delayed further

Delhi government’s promise to take as many as 100 government services to the doorstep of citizens may take a couple of months more to become fully operational. Even though the AAP government had recently declared the much-awaited ‘services at doorsteps’ policy was likely to be implemented by August this year, officials on the ground say it might take more time than that.

“Services to be given at homes have been shortlisted and departments are working on it. But the final decision on a call center with a private firm is yet to be taken. It would take another two-three months to take off. Shortage of officials in departments is also a big worry,” admitted a Delhi government official, requesting anonymity.

Once the policy takes off, residents of the national capital will have nearly 100 government certificates, including death and birth certificates, delivered home. Other certificates include a driving license, ration card, caste certificate, marriage registration, duplicate RC, change of address, new electricity and water connection, etc.

The government is expected to tie up with a private firm to set up a call center to run the service 24x7. After the applicants place their request for documents over the phone, a sahayak (a government officials associated with the concerned department will visit the address provided with a biometric device and a camera). The official will provide the certificates at home for an extra fee of Rs 50.

The policy was announced earlier in 2017 and the AAP-led Delhi government had then assured that the policy would be implemented soon. It had also prepared a blueprint of the policy, and had sent it to the Lieutenant Governor’s office. Delhi LG Anil Baijal had then returned the file to the government, asking the government to reconsider the policy.

The policy later became a bone of contention between the AAP government and the L-G. However, Baijal approved the policy in January this year.