Birth Certificate Rules: West Bengal Government Takes a Major Step to Curb Corruption by Introducing New Regulations

Birth Certificate Rules: In a landmark decision to combat corruption and fraud in the issuance of birth certificates, the West Bengal government has introduced a new set of directives. According to the recent notification from Nabanna, the process of obtaining a birth certificate will now be more stringent and secure. This new rule will be implemented across all panchayats and municipal areas of the state, with the primary goal of ensuring the accuracy of birth-related data and preventing any form of malpractice.

Reason for the New Rules

Recently, allegations of corruption concerning birth certificates have surfaced in several panchayat areas of the state, particularly in places like Pathankhali Gram Panchayat. It was alleged that fake birth certificates were being issued in exchange for hefty sums of money, posing a significant risk to state security and citizen data. The state government has taken this strict measure to prevent such incidents.

What Are the Changes?

Previously, in rural panchayat areas, a birth certificate could be obtained with only the signature of the Panchayat Pradhan. However, under the new regulations, several significant changes have been introduced to this system, which are detailed below:

• BMOH Approval is Mandatory: From now on, the signature of the Panchayat Pradhan alone will not suffice. The application for a birth certificate must first be sent to the Block Medical Officer of Health (BMOH) of the concerned block for approval.
• Verification by ASHA Workers: After the application is submitted, local ASHA workers will conduct a physical verification of the child and their family at their residence. They will confirm the child’s existence and the accuracy of the provided information. This verification report will be submitted directly to the BMOH.
• Process via Online Portal: The entire process will be completed online through the state’s dedicated birth-death portal. After reviewing the report from the ASHA workers, if the BMOH is satisfied, they will provide digital approval through the portal. This will make it nearly impossible to create a certificate based on false or erroneous information.
• Full Stop to Corruption: This online and verification-based system will bring transparency to the process of issuing birth certificates and will make it difficult for corrupt individuals to commit fraud. It will also strengthen the state’s civil registration system.

Advice for the Public

Individuals applying for a birth certificate for their newborn child are requested to be aware of these new rules. Please provide accurate information while applying and cooperate fully with the ASHA workers during the verification process. This new system may be slightly more time-consuming, but it will ensure a secure and authentic document for your child’s future. This initiative by the state government should be commended as it will help in building a more secure society.