Bhubaneswar: The state govt has approved a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the implementation of an auto-appeal system to ensure time-bound delivery of public service and fix accountability for delays under the Odisha Rights to Public Service Act, 2012.The general administration and public grievance department issued the SOP through an office order, directing all the departments to communicate the guidelines to concerned officers and staff for immediate implementation.Under the system, an application for a notified public service will be automatically flagged if it remains pending beyond the prescribed service delivery period. The application will be marked “pending beyond timeline” and an e-Appeal will be registered automatically.If the Appellate Authority fails to dispose of the appeal within 30 days, the system will automatically trigger an e-Revision and electronically escalate the case to the revisional authority.The system will generate a unique acknowledgement number when an application is submitted and calculate the due date based on the statutory time limit applicable to the service. Govt holidays will not be taken into account while calculating the deadline.Applicants and concerned officials will receive automated notifications through SMS, WhatsApp, email or other available digital channels. The system will also enable online processing of appeals and revisions.The SOP provides for a penalty of Rs 250 per day for each day of delay, subject to a maximum of Rs 5,000, where the concerned official fails to provide a sufficient and relevant cause.The revisional authority will examine system records and logs to determine the stage and cause of delay. No financial penalty will be imposed without giving the concerned official a reasonable opportunity to be heard, the SOP states.“The auto-appeal system is intended to reduce the need for citizens to make repeated visits to govt offices, improve transparency in service delivery and strengthen system-driven accountability under the Odisha Right to Public Services Act, 2012,” it said.