|
 | |
|
CITIZEN'S CHARTER
All the departments of the Ministry of the Interior, which offer services to citizens, have drawn up a Citizen’s Charter with a view to providing fuller information and quicker services to the public.
This important innovation marks the start of a new era in the relations between the Ministry of the Interior and the citizens, a relation based on mutual respect, understanding and cooperation and mainly on the provision of substantive, immediate and impartial services to the public.
The departments which have prepared and implemented the Citizen’s Charter are: Land and Survey’s Department, Town Planning and Housing Department, Migration Department, Registration Department, Special Service for the Care and Rehabilitation for the Displaced, and Management of Turkish Cypriot Properties.
The Citizen’s Charter has been published in many copies, which are available at the Ministry of the Interior, its departments and at the District Administrations.
Basic Principles and Models of Service
The Citizen’s Charter is a bond of honour between the public service and citizens and safeguards the right of citizens to enjoy quality and high-standard services. At the same time, it helps make public servants feel satisfaction for the services they provide to the public.
The Citizen’s Charter is not a document, which contains only theoretical and general principles and aims. On the contrary, it contains specific provisions and sets out specific obligations for the public services, e.g. the period of time within which the department has the obligation to reply, the type of information to be given etc.
On the basis of the Citizen’s Charter, public services are obliged:
- to inform the public in detail on the kind of services they provide
- to define and publicise standards of services
- to be easily accessible and friendly to the citizen and to provide adequate information
- to explain the options afforded and give correct advice to the public
- to be courteous and forthcoming in providing services and to rectify mistakes
The Ministry of the Interior has undertaken the following obligations:
1. All letters should be replied to promptly and clearly. Every department should set its aims/standards of service and publicise at specific intervals the progress achieved.
2. Αppointments between government officers and citizens should be held without any delay. (Delays should not exceed ten minutes.)
3. To give specific and clear information on the services the department is providing and at least one telephone number to ring for information.
4. Government officers should regularly ask the opinion of the public about the level of the services provided and the results achieved.
5. To define procedures and to adopt appropriate measures, which ensure easy and unimpeded access to the services, provided to all citizens.
|
 |
|
|