Policing and Right to Service Act in Punjab Myth and Reality

Policing is one of the most vital of the functions undertaken by a State. Police is an inevitable and strong arm of the state machinery to ensure maintenance of law and order in the state. In the eye of common man, police force is a symbol of brute force of authority and at the same time, the protector from crime. With passage of time, the nature of State has undergone change from ‘Police State’ to ‘Welfare State’ in the globe. The changed State has also brought about radical changes in the role of its important organs including the police. In fact, the degree/quality of change in police depends upon the nature of its master-State, as the nature, role and functions of the police are determined by the State. The expansion of modern technology which brought the whole globe very close has, on the one hand, increased awareness all around and public at large felt that they are entitled to services under various enactments for which they pay huge taxes, on the other, it has compelled the political masters who have been running the government, to make the various government wings as service oriented to intact their legitimacy.

In India also, the governments at Centre as well as state levels came forward with various acts to promote transparency and accountability in its various departments. The Punjab Government also brought Punjab Right to Service Act-2011 to provide services in a hassle free, corruption free, transparent and time-bound manner through different service delivery mechanism.ⁱ This research paper intends to trace the origin, growth & development of the police agency in Punjab. It also explores the basic functions of the police and the functions which have placed under the service act. And also the basic question, that how far it has actually satisfied the people.