JMC asks institutions to accept digital birth, death certs

Jaipur: People in Jaipur were facing repeated delays and unnecessary visits to municipal offices as several banks, schools and loan offices refused to accept digitally signed birth and death certificates issued by the municipal corporation.

Following growing complaints, the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) has now issued fresh directions asking all institutions to recognise the digital certificates as fully valid documents.

The certificates issued through the Pehchan portal by JMC are sent directly to residents on their WhatsApp numbers. Under existing rules, citizens can print and use these certificates wherever required. Their authenticity can also be verified by scanning the QR code printed on the document or through the Pehchan portal.

Despite this, many banks, loan and insurance offices, and schools were allegedly asking people to get the certificates reverified by the municipal corporation or submit copies printed on official corporation stationery.

The issue led to unnecessary crowds at municipal offices, with residents repeatedly approaching the corporation for documents that were already digitally valid.

Following complaints from the public, JMC commissioner Om Kasera issued fresh directions to the lead district bank manager and the chief district education officer, instructing all banks, loan offices and schools to treat digitally signed certificates as fully valid.

Officials have also been directed to ensure strict compliance with the rules across all subordinate institutions. Civic authorities said hospitals are also authorised to issue birth and death certificates and that digitally signed copies are legally valid documents.