Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Odisha Auto-Appeal System Brings Fines for Delayed Public Services
Odisha has created a new system to help people receive government services on time.
If an application is not completed by its deadline, it will automatically move to an appeal process.
Citizens will not need to make a separate appeal themselves.
Officials responsible for delays can be fined Rs 250 for each day of delay.
The total fine cannot be more than Rs 5,000.
The money can be taken directly from the official’s salary.
Computers connected to the government’s staff and Treasury systems will help process the deduction.
The government says the system is meant to make officials more accountable.
Odisha introduced a Standard Operating Procedure to operationalise its Auto-Appeal System under the Odisha Right to Public Services Act, 2012.
Service requests that miss prescribed deadlines will automatically enter the appellate process without requiring citizens to file appeals.
Officials responsible for delays may face a penalty of Rs 250 per day, capped at Rs 5,000.
The penalty will be recovered from officials’ salaries through integration with the Human Resources Management System and state Treasury.
The General Administration Department directed all government departments to implement and circulate the guidelines immediately.
- Who
- The Odisha government, its General Administration Department, and officials responsible for delayed public services.
- What
- A Standard Operating Procedure was introduced to implement an Auto-Appeal System with automatic escalation and salary-based penalties.
- When
- The SOP was unveiled on Monday and ordered for immediate implementation.
- Where
- Across Odisha government departments and their administrative jurisdictions.
- Why
- To reduce the burden on citizens, standardise procedures, and enforce time-bound public service delivery.
- Legal framework
- Odisha Right to Public Services Act, 2012
- Penalty rate
- Rs 250 for every day of default
- Maximum penalty
- Rs 5,000
- Penalty recovery
- Direct deduction from the responsible official’s salary
- Automatic escalation
- Overdue service requests enter the appellate process automatically
- System integration
- The mechanism is linked to the Human Resources Management System and the state Treasury
- Implementation
- Departments were instructed to circulate and implement the SOP with immediate effect