Synopsis
On March 12, the Maharashtra government implemented new measures to prevent the issuance of fraudulent birth and death certificates to foreign nationals, including Bangladeshis and Rohingyas. The amendments to the Birth and Death Registration Act emphasize stringent verification and legal consequences for violations.Key Takeaways
- Maharashtra government enforces strict measures against fake certificates.
- New verification processes established for registrations.
- Immediate legal action for fraudulent document submissions.
- Timely issuance of certificates prioritized.
- Birth and death registrations classified as quasi-judicial matters.
Mumbai, March 12 (NationPress) The Maharashtra government announced a new notification on Wednesday aimed at preventing the acquisition of fraudulent certificates by individuals from Bangladesh and Rohingya communities within the state.
State Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule stated in both Houses of the State Legislature that the issue of foreign nationals exploiting loopholes in the government system to secure birth and death registration certificates will now be addressed.
He elaborated that the procedure for delayed registration of births and deaths has been finalized, and new amendments will take effect in Maharashtra as per the notification issued by the Public Health Department. There will be a three-tier verification process established for these certificates, which will be issued only after satisfying 17 specific criteria. If any submitted documents are determined to be false, immediate legal action will be initiated against the applicant.
The Minister further mentioned that the process for late registrations, governed by the Birth and Death Registration Act of 1969 and the Maharashtra Birth and Death Registration Rules of 2000, has been meticulously outlined.
In accordance with the amendments to the Birth and Death Registration Act, 1969, measures have been introduced to enhance transparency and prevent the issuance of counterfeit certificates in birth and death registrations.
As a result, these certificates will now be processed more swiftly, with strict penalties enforced for issuing fraudulent documents.
Birth and death certificates are essential for various purposes, including school admissions, passport applications, and other educational requirements.
To guarantee timely issuance of these certificates, the halt on issuing late registrations has been lifted as per the Revenue Department's order dated January 21, 2025.
Minister Bawankule emphasized the significance of birth and death certificates, noting their previous misuse. The recent amendments aim to eliminate such abuses, ensuring strict penalties for any violations.
Going forward, registrations will be regarded as quasi-judicial matters, requiring thorough examination. Applications for certificates pertaining to events over a year old must be supported by substantial evidence. Lack of valid documentation will lead to criminal charges. Certificates will only be issued following verification of records from the respective locations of birth or death. Officials at all levels, from village officers to district collectors, have been instructed to enforce stringent checks.
To uphold transparency and prevent the issuance of fake certificates in the late registration process, a detailed procedure has been established by a government decision in conjunction with the Public Health Department, concerning late registrations under the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1969, and the Amendment Act, 2023.
For cases where information about births and deaths is provided after more than a year, the Authorized Magistrate at the location of birth or death will verify the accuracy of the details while imposing a late fee, thereby meeting various legal prerequisites.
Enhanced provisions for record retrieval have also been introduced. All applications will undergo police verification, and final approvals will depend on the police department's findings.
This initiative aims to eliminate the misuse of birth certificates for unauthorized settlements, fostering a more transparent and accountable registration process.
This crackdown follows complaints received regarding the distribution of fake birth certificates to foreign nationals.
A Special Investigation Committee (SIC) was established by the Home Department in response to these complaints, chaired by the Special Inspector General of Police for the Nashik Zone.
