THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has decided to withdraw all the application fees charged for getting different services from the government departments.
All the application forms will be simplified such that not more than one page will be allowed.
However, the fees for the applications used for the commercial and business purposes will continue. The state cabinet that met on Thursday also decided to simplify the norms for getting the certificates and other records from different government departments.
The cabinet has also decided to make all the services, including the issuance of different certificates, through online in order to reduce the hassles faced by the common man. In addition to this the government has decided that the certificate once issued can be used at different departments. But all the certificates issued will have a specific period of validity.
All the government departments will be directed to fix the maximum limit of the certificate validity to one year. While issuing the certificates, it should not be mentioned that it is for a specific purpose.
It will not be made mandatory that the certificates issued by any department will have to be attested by a gazetted officer or by any notary. Instead, self attestation will be sufficient.
Nativity certificate
For those who are born (if they do not have a birth certificate) in the state and have a proof of studying in any educational establishment within the state for five years, the proof of this or a self affidavit will be essential for declaring the nativity certificate.
For those who are born outside Kerala, the nativity certificate will be issued by the village officer.
From now on for those who are not having a resident certificate, Aadhaar card, latest electricity bill, water bill, telephone bill or land tax receipt will be essential. If the people are not having any of these, then can produce the certificate issued by the local bodies.
The Jeevan Praman biometric system can be used by the pensioners for getting the life certificate. This system has been enabled in all the treasuries now. Ration cards can be used for proving the relationship certificate. For those who are not having any identity proof, a photo-affixed certificate issued by a gazetted officer will be sufficient.
