Mumbai: The Mahayuti government has directed the divisional commissioners and the district collectors across the state to stop issuing birth certificates in cases where the applications have been submitted in delayed cases.
An order to this effect has been issued by the state revenue department recently. As per the procedure, the district collectors or the sub-divisional officer (SDO) appointed by him have the power to issue birth certificates to those who apply after one year to someone’s birth. In the first, the certificate is issued by the concerned civic or the local body.
Recently, a few cases came to light, particularly in Malegaon in Nashik district and Amravati, where it is alleged that birth certificates were issued to Bangladeshis and Rohingyas. The state government, after verifying the facts and the allegations, has appointed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising officers from the police, to probe the issue.
Even as the SIT will verify such cases, the government has directed all the six divisional commissioners and 36 district collectors to stop issuing such certificates.
The stay order may remain in effect for six months – the time period given to the SIT for verification of the cases, and submission of the report, say the government sources in the know of the developments.
