Mumbai, Nov 27 (NationPress) The Maharashtra Revenue Minister, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, has issued a directive for the immediate cancellation of fraudulent birth and death certificates that were issued based solely on Aadhaar card documentation or other certificates deemed questionable. Alongside this, he has mandated that police reports be filed without delay.

This initiative is part of an effort to dismantle the syndicate involved in the unlawful issuance of birth and death certificates using counterfeit documents within the state.

A circular from the revenue department was released today, instructing tehsildars, sub-divisional officers, district collectors, and divisional commissioners to assess birth and death certificates based on 16 criteria, following comprehensive meetings with the Additional Chief Secretaries of Home and Revenue.

As per the release from the revenue minister’s office, Minister Bawankule has called for swift action.

“We have instructed that all birth and death registrations issued by Naib Tehsildars post the amendment on August 11, 2023, be withdrawn and annulled. Any certificate granted based solely on Aadhaar card evidence will be deemed invalid. The revenue department has clarified, referencing central government guidelines, that an Aadhaar card cannot serve as proof of birth or birthplace. Under the oversight of district collectors and divisional commissioners, special campaigns and meetings will be organized to address these challenges,” the release stated.

According to the directions from Minister Bawankule, should any inconsistencies arise between the application information and the birth date on the Aadhaar card, a police case will be initiated against the individual. Furthermore, individuals who fail to return original certificates or for whom certificates cannot be located will be classified as “absconders,” with local police instructed to file FIRs.

“Certain cities and talukas in the state have been identified as hotspots for illegal birth and death cases, including Amravati, Sillod, Akola, Sambhajinagar, Latur, Anjanagaon Surji, Achalpur, Pusad, Parbhani, Beed, Gevrai, Jalna, Ardhapur, and Parli. Tehsildars and district collectors in these regions have been directed to diligently investigate these matters,” the release continued.

Minister Bawankule emphasized that any birth certificates issued solely on the basis of Aadhaar will be annulled, and police complaints filed promptly if discrepancies in birth dates are detected. Individuals who obtain fraudulent certificates and evade capture will be labeled as “absconders.” Special investigative campaigns will be initiated across 14 locations, including Sambhajinagar, Amravati, and Latur.

“Initially, the health department was tasked with issuing birth and death certificates. However, after a year, these responsibilities transitioned to the revenue department, with authorized tehsildars and officers managing them. Numerous instances of irregularities linked to fake documentation have surfaced in various locations. Consequently, we have decided to retrieve these certificates and conduct comprehensive re-verification,” the minister stated.