Explain the basic principles of the citizens charter movement and bring out its importance.

The 12th report of 2nd ARC on Citizen Centric Governance states that Citizen’s charter is fundamentally a set of commitments made by an organisation regarding the standards of service it delivers.

The basic principles of citizen charter movement are as follows:

1. Value for taxpayers’ money.

2. Accountability: of individuals and organisations.

3. Transparency: of rules, procedure, schemes and grievances.

4. Standards: specifying what to expect and how to act if standards are not met.

5. Quality: improving the quality of service.

6. Choice: wherever possible.

The importance of Citizen Charter movement lies in:

1. Enhancing Transparency and accountability by providing citizens with information of service delivery standards

2. Citizen’s Charter decreases opportunity for corruption and graft.

3. Increased participation of common man in efficient working of an organisation. 

4. Helps reduce cost, prevent delays and red tapism.

5. Citizen friendliness & convenience which leads to increased efficiency and effectiveness.

Therefore, Citizens’ Charter movement must be reinforced by reintroducing the Citizen’s Charter bill ensuring time bound delivery of goods and services, redressal of grievances as well as attaining the next frontier of achieving the Sevottam Model.