200 affidavit categories abolished in Delhi from December

In a breather for Delhiites, the city government on Tuesday abolished 200 different categories of affidavits applicable in the national capital and initiated self-attestation process on documents from December 1.

The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

"The government has decided to abolish 200 categories of affidavits which are currently sought by various departments, local bodies and other organisations," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia told the media after the meeting.

"The decision is aimed at ending unnecessary harassment faced by public in getting different official works done. Only those affidavits which are mandatory, according to laws passed by the Parliament or Delhi assembly, have been retained," Sisodia said.

The cabinet also decided that attestation of only those documents approved by ministers concerned would be retained beyond December 1. In all other cases, documents' attestation would be done away with.

"The basic philosophy of these major cabinet decisions is to trust the citizens. This will make it easier for the public to apply for services without harassment and will also lead to reduction in unnecessary financial burden on the public," Sisodia said.

An official statement of the Delhi government stated the decision to abolish affidavits would cover major public dealing departments like Directorate of Education, Revenue Department, Transport Department, Food, Supply & Consumer Affairs Department, Office of the Registrar Co-Operative Society, Department of Social Welfare, Department of Women and Child, Chief Registrar Birth and Death, Directorate of Local Bodies (three MCDs) etc.

Some of the affidavits which have been dispensed with are -- for issue of ration card, addition/deletion of name in ration card, issuance of duplicate ration card, change in address, registration of vehicles, permanent license, pension to women in distress, financial assistance to poor widows for marriage of their daughters and orphan girls, Delhi Ladli Scheme, old age pension, disability pension, correction of birth and death, income certificate, disabled person certificate, pension and GPF, affidavits related to buildings under MCD and others.

The cabinet had directed the department of administrative reforms to bring a separate proposal before it to make a provision for stringent punishment for those giving wrong self-declarations, the statement said.