Delhi to provide 'home delivery' of public services
If you are in Delhi, you can soon get your ration card, driving license and more home delivered, thanks to a new scheme to be launched by the AAP government. The initiative is the first of its kind in the world, the Cabinet said. Initially, 40 services will be rolled out, with another 40 being added every month. Find out more about it.
What's the new scheme about?
Under the new scheme, the government will employ private agencies which people can contact to request services. Once a request is registered, representatives will visit the resident's home and complete paperwork. Officials will carry necessary devices for biometric verification. According to Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, the aim is to do away with the hassle of having to stand in long queues.
When will it be available?
The "home delivery" service will cost a nominal fee, Sisodia said. The scheme will be implemented in another three-four months. In the first phase, the public will be able to use this service for caste certificates, handicapped and old-age certificates, and sewage connection, among others. For driving license, they can apply at home but will have to go for a test.
An attempt at an image makeover?
This comes even as the AAP government faces criticism for not acting on time to check pollution. An RTI query recently revealed that in two years, the government spent just 0.11% of a Rs. 787cr-fund generated as Environment Compensation Charge. Just today, a Pew study revealed Arvind Kejriwal's popularity has fallen 21 points since 2015: only 39% view him favorably in 2017.
