Pune: The Maharashtra state government has lifted the suspension on birth and death registrations submitted more than a year after the event. To prevent misuse and fraudulent registrations, a structured process has been put in place, requiring applicants to submit additional documentation and undergo a strict verification process.
The state had earlier halted these registrations after reports of fake birth certificates being issued to Bangladeshi and Rohingya individuals surfaced in districts such as Malegaon and Amravati. Following the central government’s amendments to the Birth and Death Registration Act, 1969, powers for delayed registrations have now been transferred from the judiciary to district collectors and sub-divisional officers (prantadhikaris).
A circular has been issued by Dr. Nipun Vinayak, Secretary of the Public Health Department, directing all district collectors in Maharashtra to implement the new procedure for delayed registrations.
Why Was the Suspension Imposed?
Reports of large-scale fraudulent birth registrations in Malegaon and Amravati led to the suspension. Investigations revealed that:
4,318 individuals in Malegaon and 4,537 individuals in Amravati had received birth certificates using forged documents.
Birth certificates were allegedly issued to individuals who were not Indian citizens.
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya had raised concerns, urging officials to halt fraudulent registrations.
To curb such activities, the state government had imposed a blanket suspension on applications for birth and death registrations submitted after a one-year delay.
New Procedure for Late Birth and Death Registrations
Under the revised guidelines, applicants must follow a strict process, including:
Public Announcement: Any delayed registration must be publicly notified.
Extensive Documentation: Applicants must provide multiple forms of proof, including hospital records, immunization documents, education certificates, and residence proof.
Verification Reports: A mandatory verification report must be submitted by the Gramsevak (village official) and Talathi (revenue officer).
Only after all these checks will the birth or death registration be processed.
List of Required Documents
To authenticate late registrations, applicants must submit:
Hospital birth or death records
Immunization certificates
School or college certificates
Proof of residence (ration card, electricity bill, etc.)
Property ownership records
Vehicle registration certificate
Voter ID, Aadhaar, or PAN card
Family records
Signatures of two prominent local citizens, a police patil, special executive officer, dispute resolution committee chairman, or a gazetted officer.
