Archive · 24 Jul 2026
West Bengal Empowers DMs to Issue Birth and Death Certificates
The government of West Bengal has decided to give the power to issue birth and death certificates to district magistrates instead of local body chiefs.
This is because many fake certificates were being issued.
The government is also digitizing all records to make sure they can be checked easily.
They found a lot of fake certificates, especially in some districts, and think this will help stop fraud and keep the country safer.
Some people are worried that this takes power away from local leaders, but the government says it will make things more accountable.
The West Bengal government has empowered DMs to issue birth and death certificates to prevent fraud.
A digitization drive is underway to verify all birth and death registers.
Out of 46,998 birth certificates checked, 11,390 were found to be fictitious.
A significant uptick in birth certificate registrations was noted between February 2025 and February 2026.
The decision was influenced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah's emphasis on securing borders and stopping infiltration.
- Who
- The Suvendu Adhikari administration in West Bengal.
- What
- Empowering DMs to issue birth and death certificates and digitizing all registers.
- When
- The decision was approved on Wednesday, with searches conducted on Thursday.
- Where
- West Bengal, with searches in Calcutta, Birbhum, Cooch Behar, West Burdwan, East Burdwan, Hooghly, North 24-Parganas, and South 24-Parganas districts.
- Why
- To prevent fraud and ensure national security by reducing the issuance of fictitious certificates.
Government's Move for National Security
Concerns Over Centralization of Power
Purpose of the Change
Government's Move for National Security
The government aims to prevent fraud and ensure national security by centralizing the issuance of birth and death certificates.
Concerns Over Centralization of Power
Critics argue that this move centralizes power and reduces local autonomy, potentially leading to bureaucratic inefficiencies.
Impact on Local Bodies
Government's Move for National Security
The government believes that empowering DMs will make officials more accountable and reduce the issuance of fictitious certificates.
Concerns Over Centralization of Power
Opponents worry that this decision undermines the authority of local bodies and may disrupt their functioning.
- Authority Change
- DMs (District Magistrates) will now issue birth and death certificates.
- Reason for Change
- To crack down on rackets involved in awarding bogus birth and death certificates.
- Digitization Drive
- All birth and death registers are being digitized for verification.
- Fictitious Certificates Found
- Out of 46,998 birth certificates checked, 11,390 were found to be fictitious.
- Suspicious Registrations
- A significant uptick in birth certificate registrations was noted between February 2025 and February 2026.
- Key Districts
- Murshidabad, North Dinajpur, and Malda had the highest number of suspicious registrations.
- Union Home Minister's Role
- Amit Shah emphasized securing borders and stopping infiltration, leading to the scrutiny of birth and death certificates.