The Maharashtra government has implemented significant changes to the documentation requirements for obtaining birth and death certificates, declaring that Aadhaar cards will no longer be accepted as standalone proof. This decision comes as part of a broader initiative to combat the widespread misuse of fraudulent certificates across the state.
New Verification Guidelines Implemented
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced the immediate cancellation of all suspicious certificates issued solely based on Aadhaar cards. The government has introduced comprehensive 16-point verification guidelines distributed to all tehsildars, sub-divisional officers, district collectors, and divisional commissioners.
According to officials from the Revenue Department, citizens seeking birth and death certificates must now provide additional documents alongside their Aadhaar card. Acceptable supplementary proofs include school leaving certificates, electricity bills, or ration cards that contain personal details such as name, address, and age.
Crackdown on Fraudulent Certificates
Minister Bawankule revealed that forged birth and death certificates are being extensively misused for illegal activities including grabbing government benefits, land encroachment, and even threatening national security. Fourteen districts have been identified as hotspots for such malpractices and are under strict scrutiny.
The affected districts include Amravati, Akola, Sillod, Sambhajinagar (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) city, Latur, Anjangaon Surji, Achalpur, Pusad, Parbhani, Beed, Gevrai, Jalna, Ardhapur, and Parli. The minister has ordered special verification camps in these areas under the direct supervision of district collectors and divisional commissioners.
Strict Penalties and Opposition Criticism
The new directives include severe consequences for violations. Any discrepancy between application details and Aadhaar date of birth will result in immediate FIR registration against the applicant. Beneficiaries who obtained fake certificates and cannot be traced will be declared 'absconding' with police complaints filed against them.
The opposition has strongly criticized the move. Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe questioned the legal sanctity of Aadhaar cards, asking which identity proof would now be considered concrete, especially for marginalized communities like farm laborers and homeless individuals.
AAP spokesperson Mukund Kirdat accused the BJP government of contradictory policies, noting that while they previously emphasized Aadhaar's importance, they are now reducing its significance. Kirdat argued that the government should improve its Aadhaar issuance system rather than making citizens rely on multiple documents.
The policy shift follows a high-level meeting chaired by additional chief secretaries of the Home and Revenue Departments, aligning with Central Government guidelines that Aadhaar cannot be accepted as standalone proof of date or place of birth.
