Kerala govt's 'nativity card' bulwark against Citizen Amendment concerns

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The cabinet meeting decided to issue a permanent nativity card with a photograph as an authentic document to prove that the voter was born in Kerala. It can be used to access all government services. This card would replace the nativity certificate that has to be purchased periodically.

Meanwhile, the move is attracting political attention in the context of the exclusion of 24 lakh people from the SIR draft voter list.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan explained in a press conference that the nativity card has nothing to do with citizenship and is a defence against concerns over the Citizenship Amendment Act.

“Since fear persists in the country despite the existence of Aadhaar, a document is required to prove that one is an Indian and a Keralite.” The Chief Minister also said that no central government permission is required for the distribution of the card.

The Tahsildar is responsible for the distribution. This is in addition to the previously decided Revenue Card. The Revenue Department has been tasked with submitting a draft to give legal effect to the card in consultation with the Law Department and for the consideration of the Cabinet.

A birth certificate is a document that proves a person's birth and long-term residence. However, it is not a legal document. A birth certificate has to be obtained several times for each need. The card will solve these problems.

“The plight of people who have difficulty proving their existence is worrying. An authentic and legally backed document would make things easy,” said CM Pinarayi Vijayan.