Southern States - Kerala   

Drive to issue birth certificates

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Nov. 12. The Census Department would launch a campaign to issue birth certificates during the Child Rights Week starting from November 14, the Director of Census Operations, Sheela Thomas, said.

Ms. Thomas told presspersons here today that all children born on or after January 1, 1994, whose birth had been registered and have not got the certificates would be covered during the campaign, to be carried out in three phases. During the first phase, certificates would be issued to children in the 0-9 age group, whose birth has been registered locally and are living in the same locality.

During the second phase between November 20 and January 18, attempts would be made to trace children whose birth has been registered but have moved away to other areas. During the third phase between January 18 and March 8, children whose birth has not been registered would be contacted and certificates issued to them after registering their birth, Ms. Thomas said.

The children in the 0-9 age group constitute 19 per cent of the total population in the State. About 15 to 20 lakh children aged below 10 years may not have birth certificates though their birth had been registered. This would be the target group for issuing certificates. Various departments of the Central and State Governments and NGOs would be roped in for the campaign, she said.

An action plan has been drawn up for the campaign. A list for all children in the 0-9 age group whose birth has been registered but have not got the certificates, will be prepared. Children who are staying within the jurisdiction of the registering authority will be identified with the assistance of anganwadi workers, school authorities, NGOs, people's representatives and others.

Children in the age group 0-1, both registered and unregistered, and all children below the age of 10 whose birth has been registered and are residing within the jurisdiction of the registering authority concerned, would be identified and issued certificates during the first phase, between November 14 and 20, she said.

Certificates would be issued to all children whose birth has been registered and moved out of the jurisdiction of the registering authority before January 31.

Kerala can boast of nearly 100 per cent registration of births but not so in respect of issuing certificates. Only 40 to 45 per cent certificates have been issued, she said. The Chief Registrar of Births and Deaths and the Director of Panchayats, Francis Eappen, was also present.

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