NEW DELHI:
The government has made Aadhaar number mandatory for the registration of death from October 1, to prevent identity fraud.
The home ministry said that it would be applicable for the residents of all states except Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and Meghalaya, for which a date would be notified separately. “Aadhaar number will be required for the purpose of establishing the identity of the deceased for the purpose of death registration with effect from October 1,” said to a notification issued by the home ministry.
The office of the registrar general, which functions under the home ministry, said the use of Aadhaar will result in ensuring accuracy of the details provided by the relatives, dependents or acquaintances of the deceased.
“It will provide an effective method to prevent identity fraud. It will also help in recording the identity of the deceased person. Further, it will obviate the need for producing multiple documents to prove the identity of the deceased person,” it said.
If the person applying for the death certificate is not aware of the Aadhaar number or Aadhaar enrolment ID Number (EID) of the deceased, they would be required to provide a certificate that the deceased person does not possess Aadhaar number to the best of her or his knowledge, the Home Ministry said in a statement.
However, any false declaration given by the applicant in this regard will be treated as an offence as per the provisions of the Aadhaar Act, 2016 and also Registration of Birth and Death Act, 1969, the Ministry warned.
“Applicant’s Aadhaar number shall also be collected along with the Aadhaar number of the spouse or parents,” the ministry said, citing a notification issued by the Registrar General of India (RGI) that is entrusted with conducting the country’s census and maintaining the register of births and deaths.
It claimed that this would obviate need for producing multiple documents to prove the identity of the deceased person. The RGI has directed the departments concerned in all States and Union Territories responsible for registration of birth and death to ensure compliance with registration authorities concerned and a confirmation to this effect by September 1, 2017.
Section 57 of the Aadhaar Act 2016 permits the use of Aadhaar number for establishing the identity of an individual for any purpose pursuant to any law or any contract to this effect.
The registration of births and deaths are being done under the provisions of Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act, 1969 and the corresponding Rules made by State governments.
