Bihar acts to check corruption

Bihar has quietly brought in legislation to ensure that government officials down the line are held accountable for the services they are meant to provide even as the country continued to debate on the issue of Lokpal and Anna Hazare's fast for its early implementation.

Unfurling the national tricolour on the occasion of the 65th Independence Day, chief minister Nitish Kumar announced the coming into force of the Right to Public Service (RTPS) Act, 2011 in the state.

The chief minister said he had toned up the state administration and that his government has decided to make the institution of Lokayukta "more effective and strong."

The government has also created the Bihar Prashasnik Sudhar Mission Society (Administration Clean-up Mission Society) to monitor implementation of the Act.

"The RTPS Act is just another way to curb corruption and to provide services to all sections within a limited time. In a matter of one year, people can apply for services online and get certificates online too," Kumar said in his Independence Day address.

And a flood of applications, over 28 million, have flowed in after the Act came into effect on 15 August.