Errors in birth and death certificates irk residents

Charanjit Singh Teja
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, November 19

Spelling mistakes and typing errors have been harassing the applicants in getting birth and death certificates being issued through e-Sewa. The company hired by the state government for issuing certificates through e-Sewa is functional since August 1. Residents have to visit Municipal Corporation office for the corrections but as the certification process is online, the MC employees don’t accommodate them directly.

Employees working in the birth and death wing of the MC claimed that the company for e-Sewa had adopted online application system and there was no option for applicant to cross-check the details. Earlier, the applicants used to visit the MC office and check the details before issuing the certificate. Now the whole process is online and no scope of correction in case of any spelling mistake or typing error.

The company collects the applications at the sewa kendras and then submits online to the birth and death wing of the MC. The MC employees match the applicant’s information with their record and send the certificate to company. The company issued it to applicant by putting hologram on certificate.

The company officials claimed that the system adopted by e-Sewa is error free and Municipal Corporation employees have to work carefully.

Dharminderjit Singh, in-charge, the birth and death certificate wing of the MC, said, “In case of any mismatch between details given by an applicant and the MC record, we can’t issue the certificate. So it causes confusion and delay. Earlier, applicants used to visit our office and we provide them a copy for correction before issuing certificate”.

According to the information, 3,000 applications are lying pending as the Municipal Corporation had arranged computers and other required equipment with delay of two months. Today, the Deputy Commissioner asked the Municipal Corporation to clear the pendency.