Baku: A draft law titled “On Public Services” has been prepared, as reported by APA. The draft law was the focal point of discussion at a recent meeting of the Committee for Law Policy and State-Building of the Milli Majlis, the Azerbaijani Parliament. This newly proposed legislation aims to define the organizational, legal, and economic foundations essential for activities within the realm of public services, as well as to regulate the relationships involved in the provision of these services.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the draft law introduces precise definitions relevant to public service, including the locations where these services are provided, unified service centers, and the legislation concerning the design of public services. Public service is described as a series of actions performed by service providers tied to their powers, which culminate in a legal outcome or the provision of necessary information to the user. The place of public service provision includes not only the administrative buildings of service providers but also mobile outreach locations, unified service centers, and information systems. These centers are where public services are jointly delivered by service providers and private organizations. The design of public services is outlined as a framework of conceptual and functional solutions that pinpoint the needs and requirements essential for forming public services.
The draft law also establishes the State Register of Public Services (SRPS), a unified information system encompassing data on public services. It further delineates the scope of service users, along with their rights and responsibilities. In a move to mitigate corruption risks, the draft introduces a queuing principle, ensuring the sequential processing of applications for public services, barring exceptions specified by law.
With its adoption, the draft law will set requirements for the formation of public services, stipulating that a service can only be provided once it is entered into the SRPS. The draft indicates that the outcome of providing a public service may manifest as an administrative act or legally binding or technical documents, available in either electronic or paper format, or as part of informational electronic services.
A notable aspect of the draft is the establishment of a quality monitoring mechanism for public services. The “ASAN Service Index” evaluation mechanism will undergo enhancements, with its results serving as the basis for overseeing service quality.