Odisha to automate appeals for delayed public services

The Odisha government is set to implement an Auto-Appeal System (AAS) under the Odisha Right to Public Services Act, 2012. This system is designed to automatically initiate appeals for notified public services that remain pending beyond their prescribed statutory deadlines, removing the requirement for citizens to file manual appeals.

The General Administration and Public Grievance Department has issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the rollout. Once an application exceeds its deadline, it will be marked as ‘pending beyond timeline’ and converted into an e-appeal with a unique case ID. The system will provide automated alerts to applicants, designated officers, and appellate authorities via SMS, WhatsApp, or email.

To ensure accountability, officials responsible for delays may face a penalty of Rs 250 per day, up to a maximum of Rs 5,000. These penalties may be recovered directly from the officer’s salary through integration with the HRMS and Treasury systems. The system will calculate due dates based on notified timelines, excluding government holidays.