Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Monday that the central government is planning to introduce a bill in Parliament to link birth and death records with electoral registers and the overall development process in India.
Read on to find out all the details about this new update.
Government Planning to Link Birth And Death Records With Electoral Registers
During the inauguration of the ‘Janganana Bhawan,’ the headquarters of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, Shah emphasized the importance of the census in laying the foundation for future development plans. He highlighted the advantages of having precise and comprehensive digital census data, stating that it can facilitate targeted development for the most marginalized sections of society.
Shah proposed that the effective planning of development activities can be achieved by appropriately preserving birth and death certificate data. The proposed bill aims to automatically include the names of individuals in the electoral rolls when they turn 18, and to remove names from the voters’ list when a person passes away.
Government officials have stated that amending the Registration of Birth and Death Act 1969 will not only simplify the process of obtaining a driver’s license and passport but also enable individuals to access various government welfare programs and receive other benefits.
Need For Accurate and Accessible Data
Shah emphasized the need for accurate and accessible data to ensure proper planning of development works. He mentioned that in the past, the developmental process was carried out in a fragmented manner due to the lack of sufficient data. Shah cited examples of initiatives such as providing electricity, housing, clean drinking water, healthcare, and toilets to all households, which faced challenges due to the absence of accurate and accessible census data.
He acknowledged that the development process in the country has been demand-based and fragmented, leading to duplication and increased costs. By integrating birth and death records with electoral registers and the development process, Shah believes that better coordination and more efficient utilization of resources can be achieved.
The proposed bill, once introduced and passed in Parliament, aims to establish a stronger connection between demographic data, electoral processes, and development planning in India.
