December 5: The Cabinet has approved several recommendations aimed at improving service delivery. It has also directed the Ministry of Information and Communications to take the lead role in implementing the recommendations with other ministries and agencies.

According to a news release from the Cabinet Secretariat, on December 2, the Ministry of Information and Communications submitted a report on the steps being taken to improve service delivery by various government agencies.

The report recommended changes in the workflow for some of the most commonly availed services such as security clearance system, getting approvals, environmental clearance, licenses, forestry related clearances, and bill payments in government institutions. It recommended ways to make it more convenient for the people in availing the services and improve the behavior of civil servants towards the people.

The report also recommended specific standards to be applied on a day to day basis in responding to applications and queries across all government agencies.

Overall it recommended cutting down the time taken for giving approval or responding to applications by half or more from the time taken now.