Govt. orders strict scrutiny of digitised birth, death records, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• The Registrar General of India (RGI) is implementing strict checks to prevent fraudulent digitization of old birth and death records.
• This action follows a surge in demand for digitized certificates and complaints about fake or unauthorized issuances.
• The RGI identified instances where registrars' credentials were compromised, leading to misuse of the Civil Registration System.
• States have been directed to identify "Registration Units showing unexplained spikes in registrations" and enhance security measures.

RGI.jpg

Detailed Insights:

• The RGI issued directives in June and July, emphasizing mandatory verification of online applications against original registers.
• Measures include uploading supporting documents, forwarding applications to the district registrar for approval, and compulsory use of e-signatures.
• The increased demand for digital copies is partly due to the ongoing special intensive revision of electoral rolls, where birth certificates are accepted identity documents.
• The Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, amended in 2023, mandates online registration of births and deaths on the Central Civil Registration System (CCRS) portal.
• For births on or after October 1, 2023, the digital birth certificate serves as a single document for various services like education and government jobs.
• The Union Home Ministry plans to introduce a Bill to amend the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 2023, to make provisions for delayed registration more stringent.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Registrar General of India (RGI): A statutory body under the Ministry of Home Affairs responsible for demographic surveys and civil registration.
• Civil Registration System (CRS): A unified national system for online registration of births and deaths across India.
• Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969: The primary legislation governing the registration of births and deaths in India.
• Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 2023: An amendment to the 1969 Act, making online registration compulsory and digital certificates the sole proof of birth for various services.