Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 20
The Nagaland Right to Public Services Bill, 2026, aimed at ensuring delivery of notified public services to people within stipulated time limits, was passed during the recent 9th session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) in Kohima.
The Bill stated that the proposed Act would apply to all categories of government employees appointed substantively to civil services or posts in connection with the affairs of the State Government of Nagaland, including persons working on deputation. It would also apply to employees of local bodies and authorities fully or partially funded by the State Government.
However, it would not apply to persons appointed as short-term workers or paid out of contingencies, or to persons whose terms and conditions of service are regulated by or expressly provided for in the Constitution.
In the statement of objects and reasons, the Bill, moved by Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio, stated that timely, transparent and accountable delivery of public services is fundamental to good governance. It stated that delays in service delivery and the absence of an effective grievance-redressal mechanism cause hardship to citizens and erode public confidence in the administration.
“The Government of Nagaland is committed to establishing a citizen-centric administrative framework that ensures efficiency, accountability, and responsiveness in the delivery of essential public services,” the Bill stated. It said a statutory framework was therefore necessary to ensure delivery of notified public services to eligible persons within stipulated time limits.
The legislation seeks to confer on every eligible citizen the right to obtain notified public services within the prescribed period and ensure accountability of officers responsible for delivering such services. The Bill establishes a legally enforceable mechanism to empower citizens while imposing statutory duties on government servants, local bodies and public authorities.
It provides for notification of public services with time limits, designation of responsible officers, a two-tier appellate mechanism, penalties for defaults, revision of penalty orders, disciplinary action, a bar on Civil Court jurisdiction, protection for actions taken in good faith, overriding effect, rule-making powers subject to legislative oversight, and powers to remove difficulties. The appellate authorities would have powers to require documents, issue summons and pass orders.
The Bill also incorporates safeguards to ensure fairness, including a reasonable opportunity of hearing before imposition of any penalty. Rules made under the Act would be subject to mandatory laying before the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. The Bill further seeks to establish a citizen-centric, transparent and accountable system for public service delivery in Nagaland.
The Nagaland Right to Public Services Bill, 2026, empowers the State Government to make rules, through notification in the Official Gazette, for carrying out the provisions of the proposed Act.
