"The right to error": the law that aims to revolutionize public administration

BarcelonaIf a person makes a mistake before the administration, they will have the right to rectify it as long as it was committed "not fraudulently." This right has also been extended to citizens. In this way, if a person proves they have made an unintentional error, they will be able to rectify it and avoid sanctions. Public sanctions will only apply to actions or omissions "carried out with grief, guilt, or gross negligence." The administration, therefore, will not punish officials who have acted with "due diligence, in good faith, and without fraud." They will not be able to claim benefits "linked to essential subsistence needs" that have been granted in error to "avoid harming citizens who are part of vulnerable groups." claim for thousands of euros for undue payments of social benefitsA few months ago, the Government approved an amnesty for beneficiaries of the guaranteed income and now it is pending. What to do with the hundreds of young people who have been ex-warded They have received a letter requesting the return of part of the aid, for which the Ministry of Social Rights has already apologized.

In a press conference from Palau, reported by ACN, the Minister of the Presidency, Albert Dalmau, emphasized that the reform will serve to avoid "collapse." "When the administration makes a mistake, it has no right to persecute the citizen who is the victim of the error," he argued. Dalmau emphasized that the process of modifications is "complex," but that it will improve social cohesion, the guarantee of rights, and economic prosperity.

During the press conference in the Torres Garcia room at Palau, Dalmau reiterated that the step is "very important" to send a message of "trust" between the administration and the citizens. The introduction of the changes, the minister said, are "substantial" to treat people as "adults." Furthermore, Dalmau asserted that it is necessary to recognize the right not to be harmed by errors made by the administration itself.

Appointments and proactive services

The Government has already announced the elimination of the mandatory appointment in its reform, but now the executive has agreed with the two investiture partners to include it in the law that will be processed by the Parliament, which will apply to all public administrations in Catalonia.

On the other hand, the agreement also includes moving toward "proactive and personalized" public services. This should translate into the administration itself "suggesting" procedures, benefits, and services related to the vital needs of each person. The objective is to reverse the paradigm of a "reactive" administration and one that can "accompany" citizens in their procedures and provide them with information about their rights and what services they can benefit from. Each person, however, should give their consent for their personal data to be used so that the administration can suggest procedures if they have a child, need to apply for unemployment benefits, or are retired. With a proactive service, citizens should not have to repeat procedures or submit the same documentation more than once, in addition to having access to new benefits they may not have been aware of.

Finally, the Government is committed to using more "plain, understandable, and accessible" language in all administrative procedures and information. This is intended to avoid "excessively technical or legal" language. The executive's objective is to process this reform in a single reading, dispensing with all the formalities of an ordinary legislative process, so that it can be approved at the beginning of the next session, that is, in the fall.