Karnal: Revamp of portal leads to chaos as no corrections allowed in records
Parveen Arora
Karnal, July 28
The recently revamped portal of the Civil Registration System (CRS) has introduced changes which are inconveniencing residents who are to get corrections done in birth and death records.
The updated portal has now restricted corrections in its records and eliminated the option of obtaining bilingual birth and death certificates. Earlier certificates were available in both Hindi and English languages. At present, certificates are issued only in Hindi.
No print option available
- The updated portal has now restricted corrections in its records and eliminated the option of obtaining bilingual birth and death certificates.
- With the new provision, no print option is available with the help of bar code printed on birth and death certificates.
- Earlier, anyone could print as many copies of certificates after scanning barcode while sitting at his/her home
With the new provision, no print option is available with the help of bar code printed on birth and death certificates. Earlier, anyone could print as many as copies of certificates after scanning barcode while sitting at his/her home.
“Besides, in the new revamped portal, there is no provision to search non- availability certificates for three years which is mandatory for delayed registration,” said an official.
This has created a backlog of files at the office of the Sub-Registrar of the birth and death branch of the Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC) as the portal does not allow changes sought by applicants.
Frustrated and angry residents are running from pillar to post in search of solutions. However, the authorities currently have no answers or solutions for applicants.
For many, the non-issuance of bilingual certificates is a major problem. English certificates are often required for various legal and administrative purposes. Applicants have urged the authorities to address these issues promptly.
“I applied for a birth certificate for my son in English. I have to submit it with my passport, but the portal does not issue certificate in English language,” said a local resident.
As per officials, under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, there was a provision for correction in birth and death record. The CRS portal was launched in 2016 by the Union Government. It had the provision of correction in birth and death records as well as issuance of certificates in both the languages. After the launch of the revamped portal in June 2024, the authorities could not process corrections in certificates. “People approach us for corrections in records and for getting certificates in English language, but the portal does not have options for these. We have requested the higher authorities to bring the issues into the notice of the Union Government. We are hopeful that these would be resolved soon,” said Dr Ramesh Sharma, Sub-Registrar, birth and death branch, KMC.
Dr Krishan Kumar, Civil Surgeon, said they had raised the issue with the headquarters, and these would be resolved soon. “We have also apprised the higher authorities about the issue,” he said.
