Confused by the 2020 merger? Learn how to use the Samay Sudhini Act to get your certificates, file complaints, and hold UT officials accountable in DNH and Diu.
Imagine you are a college student in Silvassa needing a residence certificate for a scholarship, or you are living in Daman and want to report a local contractor who has left a public road dug up for months. You search for a government portal and find three different websites—some look like they haven't been touched since the 1990s, while others are half-broken. Since the merger of the two Union Territories in 2020, finding the right window (digital or physical) to get things done can feel like a maze. Navigating the administration of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (DNH & DD) shouldn't be a full-time job. Whether you need a document or want to fix a civic problem, you have specific legal rights to demand speed and transparency.
The most important thing to understand is that DNH & DD is no longer two separate entities. Under the Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of Union Territories) Act, 2019, the territories were unified on 26 January 2020 to improve administrative efficiency. This means the rules for a resident in Diu are now essentially the same as those for someone in Dadra.
Your biggest weapon is the DNH & DD Right to Public Services Act, popularly known as Samay Sudhini. This law is a game-changer for young people tired of hearing "kal aana" (come tomorrow) at government offices. Under Samay Sudhini, the UT administration has notified a list of services—like issuing caste certificates, income certificates, or electricity connections—that must be completed within a fixed number of days (usually 15 to 30 days). If the designated officer fails to provide the service or reject your application within this timeframe without a valid reason, they can be penalised. Section 7 of the Act allows you to file an appeal, and Section 12 even allows for a fine of up to ₹5,000 to be imposed on the defaulting officer, which can be given to you as compensation.
Transparency is further backed by Section 4 of the RTI Act 2005, which requires the UT administration to proactively publish data about its functioning. If you are facing a delay that doesn't fall under Samay Sudhini, you can File an RTI online to ask for the exact status of your file and the names of the officers who have sat on it. For criminal matters or safety issues, remember that the old CrPC has been replaced. You now look to Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 to file an FIR. If a police officer in Daman or Silvassa refuses to register your complaint, you have the right to send it to the Superintendent of Police (SP) or file it online.
Don't waste time on outdated links. Even though the territories merged, some digital infrastructure is still catching up. As of 2026, the primary portal for all e-services (certificates, licenses, and permits) is the unified ddd.gov.in or the specific e-District portals for DNH and Daman & Diu.
When you apply for any service online, you will receive an Acknowledgement Receipt with a unique application number. This receipt is your legal proof of the date of application.
If your issue is about a broken pipe in Moti Daman or trash piling up in Silvassa, the e-District portal might not be enough. You need the Public Grievance (PG) Portal.
If you are facing harassment, theft, or need to report a crime, head to the nearest police station.
Sometimes digital portals get 'stuck'. If your online grievance is ignored, you need to show up. The Secretariat in Silvassa (for DNH) and the Secretariat in Moti Daman (for Daman & Diu) are the nerve centres.
To explore more ways to participate in your local governance, you can Browse all civic-action guides.
Even with a unified portal and the Samay Sudhini law, the system in DNH & DD often hits a wall. Here are the most common ways your application might get stuck and how to push it through:
The "Merger" Excuse: Because the two UTs merged recently (2020), some lower-level officials still act like they are separate. You might be told in Silvassa that your Daman-based property record "isn't in the system yet."
The "Incomplete Document" Loop: To avoid the penalties of the Samay Sudhini Act, some officers might mark your application as "Incomplete" on the 14th day of a 15-day deadline. This resets their clock.
Portal Timeouts and Payment Failures: The e-District portals for DNH and Daman can be glitchy, especially during peak scholarship or recruitment seasons. You might pay the fee (usually ₹20–₹50), but the receipt doesn't generate.
The "Physical Verification" Trap: Even for "online" services, a Talati or Police Constable might insist you visit their office personally for "verification."
Use this if your application (e.g., for a Residence Certificate) is stuck for over 30 days without explanation.
To: The Public Information Officer (PIO), Office of the Collector, [Insert District: Daman / Diu / Dadra and Nagar Haveli]
Subject: Seeking information under RTI Act 2005 regarding Application No: [Your App Number]
Description of Information:
If you are facing a civic issue like a broken water pipe or illegal dumping and the local ward office isn't listening.
You: "Hello, my name is [Name] and I am a resident of [Area, e.g., Moti Daman/Masat]. I am calling to register a formal grievance regarding [Issue]. I have already informed the local department on [Date], but no action has been taken." Officer: "Please visit the office and give a letter." You: "Sir/Ma'am, under the UT’s Citizen Charter, this is a basic civic service. I have the reference number of my previous complaint. Could you please provide me with the Grievance Redressal Officer's name so I can mark a copy to the Administrator’s office if this isn't resolved in 48 hours?" (Note: Mentioning the 'Administrator’s Office' usually gets attention because the UT is centrally governed.)
If the local police station in Silvassa or Daman refuses to file an FIR for a cognizable offence (like theft or assault).
To: The Superintendent of Police (SP), [District Name], DNH & DD.
Subject: Complaint under Section 173(4) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
Respected Sir/Madam, I am writing to inform you that on [Date] at [Time], I approached the [Name of Police Station] to file an FIR regarding [Briefly describe the crime]. The Duty Officer, [Name/Rank if known], refused to register the FIR.
As per the Supreme Court judgment in Lalita Kumari vs. Govt. of U.P. (2014), registration of an FIR is mandatory if the information discloses a cognizable offence. I am hereby sending this complaint to you via registered post as per Section 173(4) of the BNSS. I request you to investigate the matter or direct an officer to register the FIR immediately.
[Your Name & Phone Number]
1. How much does it cost to file an RTI in DNH & DD? As per the standard UT rules, the application fee is ₹10. You can pay this via a Demand Draft, Indian Postal Order (IPO), or at the government treasury. If you are below the poverty line (BPL), there is no fee, provided you attach a copy of your BPL certificate.
2. Which High Court has jurisdiction over DNH & DD? The Bombay High Court is the relevant judicial authority. If you need to file a writ petition against a decision made by the UT Administration that violates your rights, your lawyer will approach the Bombay High Court.
3. What is the 'Samay Sudhini' penalty if an officer delays my work? Under Section 12 of the DNH & DD Right to Public Services Act, the Second Appellate Authority can impose a penalty on the designated officer ranging from ₹500 to ₹5,000. Part of this penalty can be awarded to you as compensation for the delay.
4. Can I apply for a Daman residence certificate if I have moved to Silvassa? No. You must apply in the district where you currently reside and have proof of residence (like a registered rent agreement or electricity bill). Since the merger, the administration is unified, but district jurisdictions for revenue and police matters remain distinct.
5. Is there a central helpline for all UT services? You can try the 155304 helpline (if calling from within the UT) for general inquiries. However, for specific grievances, the CPGRAMS (pgportal.gov.in) is the most effective digital tool for residents of DNH & DD.
6. What do I do if the online portal doesn't show my village? This happens often in the interior parts of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. If your village/pada is missing from the dropdown menu, do not select a "nearby" village. Visit the District Collectorate’s IT Cell or the nearest Jan Seva Kendra to get the database updated. Using the wrong village name will lead to your application being rejected during physical verification.
As per the standard UT rules, the application fee is ₹10. You can pay this via a Demand Draft, Indian Postal Order (IPO), or at the government treasury. If you are below the poverty line (BPL), there is no fee, provided you attach a copy of your BPL certificate.
The **Bombay High Court** is the relevant judicial authority. If you need to file a writ petition against a decision made by the UT Administration that violates your rights, your lawyer will approach the Bombay High Court.
Under Section 12 of the DNH & DD Right to Public Services Act, the Second Appellate Authority can impose a penalty on the designated officer ranging from ₹500 to ₹5,000. Part of this penalty can be awarded to you as compensation for the delay.
No. You must apply in the district where you currently reside and have proof of residence (like a registered rent agreement or electricity bill). Since the merger, the administration is unified, but district jurisdictions for revenue and police matters remain distinct.
You can try the **155304** helpline (if calling from within the UT) for general inquiries. However, for specific grievances, the **CPGRAMS (pgportal.gov.in)** is the most effective digital tool for residents of DNH & DD.
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