Date:03/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/03/stories/2008120354030500.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Council hails new norms to issue birth certificates

Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Council for Child Welfare has hailed the Local Self-government Department for issuing transparent guidelines for the registration of births of abandoned or orphaned children.

In a statement, Council general secretary P. Krishnan said the lack of clarity in the existing laws regarding registration was a major problem. Many couples were reluctant to adopt children from accredited agencies due to anomalies in the law, he said. The new guidelines to issue birth certificates within 10 days of submitting an application will be a boon to many.

According to the new guidelines, the date of birth mentioned in the court order authorising the adoption of a child should be accepted for issuing the birth certificate. The certificate of the DMO and permission from Revenue Divisional Officers are not required anymore, the statement said.