Archive · 24 Jul 2026
West Bengal Centralizes Birth, Death Registration Authority
The West Bengal government has decided to change who can issue birth and death certificates.
Before, local leaders like gram panchayat pradhans and municipal body chairpersons could do this.
Now, only government officials like DMs, health department officers, and hospital heads can issue these certificates.
This change is to make sure the records are accurate and fair.
The government will also check all certificates issued since 1997 to find any fake ones.
The BJP supports this decision because they believe in giving more power to local governments.
West Bengal government transfers birth and death registration authority from elected representatives to government officials.
Change aims to address discrepancies and irregularities in certificate issuance.
Notification issued under the West Bengal Births and Deaths Act, 1969.
All birth and death certificates registered since 1997 will be re-verified.
BJP supports the government's decision, backing decentralization of power.
- Who
- West Bengal government, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, BJP Bengal unit president Samik Bhattacharya
- What
- Transfer of birth and death registration authority from elected representatives to government officials.
- When
- Notification issued on Friday, following an announcement on Thursday.
- Where
- West Bengal, India.
- Why
- To address discrepancies and irregularities in the issuance of birth and death certificates.
Government Officials
Elected Representatives
Authority Transfer
Government Officials
Government officials should handle birth and death registrations to ensure transparency and accountability.
Elected Representatives
Elected representatives should retain the authority to issue birth and death certificates to maintain local governance.
- Authority Transfer
- From gram panchayat pradhans and municipal body chairpersons to DMs, nodal health department officers, and heads of state-run hospitals.
- Reason for Change
- Widespread discrepancies and alleged irregularities in the issuance of birth and death certificates.
- Notification Date
- Friday, following Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal's announcement on Thursday.
- Act Invoked
- West Bengal Births and Deaths Act, 1969.
- Re-verification Plan
- All birth and death certificates registered since 1997 will be re-verified.
- BJP's Stance
- Supports the decentralization of power and backs the government's decision.
