Delay in clearing cases of registration of births and deaths

SHILLONG: Despite a four-month-old notification issued by the Secretary of the Department of Law, the public continues to face problems when registering cases of births and deaths.
A letter on November 16, 2017 addressed to all Deputy Commissioners and Sub-Divisional Officers (Civil) stated that under the provision of the Registration of Birth and Deaths Act, 1969 (Central Act No. 18 of 1960) and the Meghalaya Registration of Births and Deaths Rules, 1999, the power of the magistrate means and includes the power of executive magistrate 1st class as well which also means that executive magistrates are empowered to take up and dispose matters or cases relating to the registration of births and deaths as well.
The law department notification was issued after numerous court cases of non registration of births and deaths.
The High Court of Meghalaya took exception to this trend.
The secretary, law department had urged officials to take necessary action and instruct all executive magistrates empowered with 1st class magisterial power including jurisdiction within the district or sub – division (civil) to take up the cases as per the provisions of the Births & Deaths Registration Act, 1969 and the state rules.
According to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969: “Any birth of which information is given to the registrar after the expiration of the period specified
therefore but within thirty days of its occurrence, shall be registered on payment of such late fees as may be prescribed. Any birth or death of which delayed information is given to the registrar after thirty days but within one year of its occurrence shall be registered on with the written permission of the prescribed authority and on payment of the prescribed fee and the production of an affidavit made (Contd on P-10)