Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 2 (IANS): The Kerala government Friday said it was committed to unveiling a legislation which will punish officials who don't provide services within a time schedule.

A day after the cabinet approved the pathbreaking draft of the Kerala Right to Services Bill, Finance Minister K.M. Mani said the government was determined to make it a reality -- and at the earliest.

"The draft is ready and soon it will be discussed at various levels with different organisations of employees in the state government. Then the law ministry will begin its job and the bill will be passed," Mani said.

As and when the bill becomes law, delivery of government services will become mandatory. Erring officials would attract fines on the lines of the Right to Information Act.

The departments likely to come under the purview of the law includes home, health, food and civil supplies, social welfare, education, revenue and the local government department.

"Once this becomes law, the common man will be saved from harassment due to delays resulting from cumbersome procedures," said an official who did not wish to be identified.