Modi has directed to make 'minimum use of affidavits and shift to self-certification'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Photo: DC/file)
New Delhi: In a major initiative to make life easier for citizens who are forced to deal with different government agencies and departments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed them to make “minimum use of affidavits and shift to self-certification.”
All Union ministries and departments, as well as those of state governments, have been asked to make provision for self-certification of documents instead of requiring affidavits. The requirement of attestation of documents by a gazetted officer is also sought to be replaced by self-certification by citizens, a PMO statement said.
Where self-certification is enabled, original documents will be required to be produced at the final stage. The Prime Minister, at his meeting with all Central secretaries on June 4, had spoken of reforming the public service delivery system in order to bridge the governance deficit.
“This measure is a start in that direction. It is expected to benefit people immensely, as all affidavits not required by law shall eventually be done away with,” the PMO statement said.
In a communication addressed to all secretaries of the Central government and also chief secretaries of states, the department of administrative reforms and public grievances noted, “Obtaining an attested copy or an affidavit not only costs money for the poor but also involves wastage of time of citizens as well as that of government officials.”
It has called for a review of the requirement of affidavits and attestation, and replacement by self-certification.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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