Team Herald
PANJIM: Aiming to simplify procedures and the unnecessary harassment of the common man, the State government has decided to do away with the formality of swearing affidavits for obtaining certificates from various departments. The system of self declarations substituting affidavits will be implemented from October 1, 2015.
The Department of Public Grievance Secretariat, has issued an office memorandum informing that the State has examined the interim report submitted by the committee on simplification of procedures for effective delivery of public services and concluded that the existing system of submitting an affidavit by applicants or their legal guardians to get various certificates and entitlements such as residence certificates, income certificate, ration card, construction license, etc creates unavoidable burden.
“Hence, there is a need for replacing an affidavit by a self-declaration as there are enough provisions under the law for stern action against wrong declaration including that under sections 177, 199 and 200 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860,” the communiqué says.
Further, the government has directed that no government departments, including Municipalities and Panchayats, shall ask for affidavits from applicants or their legal guardians, except in cases where affidavits are explicitly mandated under the law or court order.
“An affidavit shall instead be replaced by a self-declaration which would also carry a signed photo of the applicant or his/her legal guardian,” the note says. Self-declaration forms will be made available at all subordinate offices of departments or organizations.
The government has further directed government departments or organizations to intimate the details about the changed system to the Public Grievances department on cases in which affidavits are mandatorily required due to an existing law or court order.
This will enable the government to bring in suitable amendments, if so felt necessary to simplify the process, the communiqué says.
