Delhi cabinet clears law to fine officers for late services
Delhi cabinet passed a 2026 bill giving citizens legal right to timely services. Officers delaying work face daily penalty up to ₹5,000 total.
Delhi cabinet approved a new bill making timely government services a statutory right for citizens. Officials causing delay without reason can be fined ₹250 per day, capped at ₹5,000.
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Officials in Delhi who fail to deliver services on time will now face a monetary penalty. The cabinet led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has passed the Delhi Citizens’ Right to Time-Bound and Easy Service Delivery Bill, 2026. That meeting happened on Tuesday under Gupta’s chairmanship.
And the old framework from 2011 will be replaced by this new law. The Chief Minister’s Office shared the information on Wednesday. It said every resident of Delhi will get government services within a fixed deadline as a legal right once the law is in force.
The penalty structure is specific. A concerned officer can be charged ₹250 per day when services are delayed without proper reason. The maximum fine is ₹5,000. But before any penalty is imposed, the officer gets a full chance to present their side and explain, which ensures natural justice principles are followed. That safeguard is worth noting.
A separate independent body will be formed under the new law. The Delhi Services Rights Commission will handle citizen complaint resolution. Accountability measures, transparent systems, and technology-based governance are part of the plan. Files stuck or delayed will automatically move to a higher level in the system.
The whole process from application to receipt of service will be digital. Citizens can apply online and get a unique application number. Real-time online tracking of status is included. Government will issue notifications from time to time to say which services fall under this law.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the bill aims to ensure each citizen receives government services within the set time limit. She added that departments and officers must become more answerable for delay and negligence. Gupta described it as a key step for administrative reforms in Delhi and a milestone for transparent, simple, effective, tech-based services.
Next, the government will release notifications specifying the services covered under the bill.
