Srinagar: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh here on Monday issued notice to the Union Territory administration on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking effective implementation of the Public Service Guarantee Act, 2011 (PSGA), and its corresponding rules.
The PIL has been filed by Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, a doctor by profession, who is also a social activist. The matter after being heard by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal through virtual mode issued notice to the concerned authorities.
Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Naveed Bukhtiyar submitted that despite repeated government circulars mandating strict compliance with the PSGA, several departments have allegedly failed to implement its provisions in letter and spirit. He argued that the continued non-compliance defeats the very objective of the legislation, which was enacted to guarantee time-bound delivery of essential public services and fix accountability for delays.
The Act provides for mandatory inspections, awareness programmes and the imposition of penalties in cases of default.
However, the petitioner’s counsel informed the court that Right to Information (RTI) applications filed by Sheikh Ghulam Rasool revealed that key departments such as Home, Revenue and Transport allegedly do not maintain proper records of inspections conducted, awareness initiatives undertaken, or penalties imposed under the Act.
It was further submitted that the General Administration Department (GAD), in response to RTI queries, conceded that no records were available regarding expenditure incurred on mandatory training programmes, awareness campaigns or statutory inspections required under the law.
The plea also questions the functioning of the Public Service Management Cell, established in 2012 to oversee implementation of the Act. According to the petitioner, the Cell has failed to discharge its mandatory duties as prescribed under Rule 17 of the PSGA Rules, thereby undermining institutional oversight and monitoring mechanisms.
Taking note of the submissions, the Bench issued notice to the respondents. Deputy Advocate General Hakim Aman Ali, appearing on behalf of the Union Territory administration, accepted notice and sought short accommodation to obtain instructions and file a response to the allegations raised in the PIL.
The court granted time and adjourned the matter to March 4, 2026, for further consideration. The case is expected to have far-reaching implications for transparency, administrative accountability and citizen-centric governance across Jammu and Kashmir
