SIR: Kerala govt to introduce nativity card, help desks to start soon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With more than 24 lakh people excluded from the SIR and 19 lakh people having to appear for hearings again, the government decided to start help desks to end voters' concerns. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the cabinet meeting decided to start help desks centred around village offices.

If there is no facility in the village office, arrangements will be made available in the nearest government office. Two officials will be appointed here. The respective district collectors will be in charge. Assistance will be provided directly to the highlands and coastal areas, and the services of Anganwadi workers and Asha workers will be utilised, the Chief Minister said in a press conference.

The Chief Minister said that the cabinet meeting also decided to issue a permanent nativity card with a photograph instead of a nativity certificate to prove that people are residents of this state. The Revenue Department was tasked with preparing a draft law to give legal effect to this card. This card can also be used as a beneficiary document for government services. The Tahsildar will be responsible for issuing this card. The Chief Minister said that this will resolve the concerns raised regarding citizenship.