Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has strengthened the verification process for birth and death certificates, particularly for applications submitted more than a year after the event. This decision follows concerns over an alleged rise in undocumented Bangladeshi immigrants in certain areas of the state.
Local authorities responsible for issuing these certificates have been instructed to thoroughly examine all supplementary documents submitted with applications. These include proof of domicile, school-leaving certificates, PAN cards and Aadhaar cards.
Special attention is required when multiple applications for birth or death certificates come from the same family, reported Hindustan Times. In such cases, authorities must meticulously verify the documents, and if any are found to be fake or suspicious, they must immediately notify the local police station.
Further, in cases where birth or death records are unavailable, applicants will be required to publish an advertisement in local newspapers to validate their claims. These measures aim to prevent fraudulent claims and ensure that certificates are issued only to legitimate applicants.
Hospital Records To Be Verified By Authorities
A government resolution issued by the state’s public health department has clarified that a birth certificate cannot be issued solely based on documents such as a school-leaving certificate, PAN card or Aadhaar card. Instead, authorities must verify the birth date from hospital records, accompanied by proof of residence.
These stricter guidelines reflect the state government’s effort to curb document fraud and maintain the integrity of public records. By implementing rigorous checks, the authorities aim to prevent misuse of official documents and ensure that birth and death certificates are issued only after thorough verification.
