The Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, has been pivotal in regulating these vital statistics in India. With the recent Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023, the government aims to modernize and streamline the registration process, reflecting its commitment to improving efficiency and accessibility.
A major feature of the amendment is the creation of a comprehensive national database for registered births and deaths. The Registrar-General, India, is tasked with maintaining this database, which will be populated with data from state-level Chief Registrars and local area Registrars. This initiative ensures a cohesive and reliable system for data management, complemented by state-level databases.
The amendment marks a significant shift from traditional extracts to issuing electronic or physical birth and death certificates. This change is designed to facilitate easier access to and verification of these essential documents, ensuring they are readily available when needed.
Another critical component is the requirement to include Aadhaar numbers of parents and informants in specific registration scenarios. This includes births in jails, hotels, non-institutional adoptions, surrogacy, and cases involving single parents or unwed mothers. This integration aims to enhance the accuracy and integrity of the registration process.
The national birth and death database will have the capability to connect with other national databases such as the population register, electoral rolls, and ration cards, subject to central government approval. Similarly, state databases can interface with other state-level databases with appropriate state government consent. This connectivity is poised to enhance data accessibility and utility across various platforms.
Birth and death certificates play a crucial role in numerous official processes, particularly for individuals born after this amendment's enactment. They are essential for educational enrollment, voter list preparation, government appointments, and other central government-specified purposes.
The amendment introduces a formal appeal process for grievances related to actions or orders issued by the Registrar or District Registrar. This process includes specified timelines for filing an appeal and receiving a decision, ensuring a structured mechanism for addressing concerns.
In conclusion, the 2023 amendments to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act significantly enhance the legal framework, aligning it with contemporary needs and technological advancements. These changes represent a leap forward in the modernization of vital statistics registration in India.
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