Kerala Cabinet Approves Nativity Card Bill
The Kerala Cabinet has officially approved the Kerala Nativity Card Bill, marking a significant step towards streamlining the process of certifying a person’s Keralite identity. This new Nativity Card will be issued based on the existing model of the Nativity Certificate, which the state government currently provides to authenticate an individual’s status as a Keralite.
The Nativity Card is envisioned as an authentic document that will serve various state government services and fulfil social requirements. Its introduction aims to provide a more robust and universally accepted proof of nativity within the state’s administrative framework.
According to the approved bill, a ‘Native’ is defined as a person born in Kerala who has not acquired foreign citizenship. The definition also extends to individuals whose ancestors (parents or grandparents) were born in Kerala and have not obtained foreign citizenship. Crucially, those who have acquired foreign citizenship will not be eligible for the Nativity Card.
The legislation further specifies that if a person obtains foreign citizenship after being issued a Nativity Card, the card will automatically be rendered invalid. Additionally, the bill makes provisions for individuals born outside Kerala to parents or ancestors who were residing outside the state for reasons related to employment or other livelihood opportunities, provided they have not obtained foreign citizenship; these individuals will also be considered ‘Native’.
While the Tahsildar is designated as the authorized officer responsible for issuing the Nativity Cards, the law mandates that a comprehensive register pertaining to these cards must be maintained at the Village Office. Interested applicants can submit their requests to the Tahsildar.
The Nativity Card will encompass existing information and will also incorporate additional details as may be prescribed by the government from time to time. The government is empowered to issue notifications specifying the circumstances under which various government departments can utilize the Nativity Card as an authentic document, alongside other pertinent records, for different purposes.
Any individual seeking a Nativity Card must submit an application, complete with the required documents and fees, in the prescribed format to the designated officers. Furthermore, the District Collector holds the authority to review, annul, or amend any decision or order made by the Revenue Divisional Officer concerning a party’s application. However, the bill stipulates that no such decision can be made without first granting the concerned party a fair opportunity to present their case.