Kerala Nativity Card Bill approved by Cabinet; who are eligible for the card?

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The cabinet meeting has approved the draft bill to ensure the legal validity of the nativity card, which will become an official document to prove that one was born in Kerala. The draft bill will be presented in the assembly on the 24th. This comes in the context that the Central Government has taken steps to tighten the verification process for Indian citizenship. The card will be modelled after the nativity certificate. The nativity card will be an official document for various government services and social needs. The card can be used as a legal document to prove address for ration cards, medical needs, etc.

Native means a person who was born in Kerala and did not acquire foreign citizenship and one of their ancestors was born in Kerala and did not acquire foreign citizenship. Those who have acquired foreign citizenship will not be eligible for a nativity card. The nativity card will become invalid if the person acquires foreign citizenship after obtaining a nativity card. Those who have not acquired foreign citizenship but were born abroad when their parents or ancestors were outside Kerala due to employment or other reasons related to livelihood will also be considered native.

The law also stipulates that the register of nativity cards should be maintained at the village office, although the authorized officer to issue the card is the Tahsildar. Those who require the card can submit an application before the Tahsildar. In addition to the existing information, the information prescribed by the government from time to time will be included in the nativity card.

The government will issue a notification stating under which circumstances the government departments can use the nativity card as an authentic document, along with other documents, for various purposes. Any person who requires a nativity card should submit an application in the prescribed format along with documents and fees to the concerned officials in the prescribed manner. The District Collector, on application, may review, cancel or vary the decision taken or order passed by the Revenue Divisional Officer. However, the government has clarified that such a decision should not be taken without giving the party a fair opportunity to be heard.