Port Blair : Government officials in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands may soon have to pay from their own pockets for delaying public services, with citizens becoming entitled to compensation for bureaucratic lapses under a landmark draft legislation unveiled by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration.
The draft Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Right to Public Services) Regulation, 2026 seeks to transform public service delivery by introducing strict accountability for government officials and guaranteeing time-bound delivery of notified services. The proposed law aims to curb bureaucratic delays by imposing personal financial liability on defaulting officers.
Under the draft regulation, officials who fail to provide notified services within the prescribed time without sufficient justification can be fined between ₹1,000 and ₹10,000 for every instance of delay. Significantly, the penalty will be recovered directly from the salary of the erring officer. In deserving cases, the amount recovered can be paid to the affected citizen as compensation, making the legislation one of the strongest citizen-centric accountability measures proposed in the Islands.
The draft also simplifies the grievance redressal mechanism. Instead of compelling applicants to file a first appeal after the stipulated service period expires, delayed cases will automatically be referred to the designated Grievance Redressal Officer, who must acknowledge the complaint within three days and initiate action. Citizens dissatisfied with the outcome will have the right to approach the Designated Authority and, subsequently, the UT Appellate Authority, whose decision will be final.
The proposed regulation is intended to usher in a transparent, efficient and accountable governance framework by replacing bureaucratic discretion with legally enforceable timelines and institutional accountability.
The Administration has invited public feedback on the draft regulation, which has been placed in the public domain. Citizens may submit their suggestions, objections or comments on or before August 24, 2026.
This version is structured in a sharper, front-page style, leading with the most newsworthy element—the prospect of officers paying for delays—before explaining the provisions and their implications.
