Kerala cabinet decides to waive application fees for various services of government

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The cabinet meeting decided to waive the application fee for various services of the state government. Application forms will be simplified and limited to one page. The application fee for business and commercial purposes will continue.

Procedures for issuing certificates or services to citizens will be simplified. The procedures for approving applications will also be facilitated. This is in addition to the steps taken to make government services online as much as possible.

Certificates once issued can also be used at other government offices. The validity can be defined by the concerned departments. This must be at least one year old. It will be no longer stated in the certificate that it is issued for a specific purpose or use only.

The practice of having documents or certificates attested by a Gazetted Officer or Notary in order to avail various government services has been avoided. Self-certified copies of documents or certificates are sufficient.

The current practice of EWS Certification Certificate and certificate issued by law to SC and ST category will continue.

Birth certificate for nativity

Those born in Kerala will be considered for nativity if they have a birth certificate, proof of education for five years in an educational institution in Kerala or affidavit. Nativity Certificate will be issued by village officers to those born outside Kerala. A decision must be made within five working days after accepting the application online.

Residence certificate not needed

All you have to do is present your Aadhaar card, latest electricity bill, drinking water bill, telephone bill and building tax receipt in lieu of residency certificate. Those who do not have these can produce a certificate issued by the local body.

• A minority certificate is not required if the religion is recorded in the applicant's SSLC book / educational record.
• For others, the Village Officer or Tahsildar should take a decision within five working days after receiving the application online or offline. The applicant must also submit an affidavit.
• The biometric digital system 'Jeevan Praman' introduced by the Central Government for pensioners can be used for Life Certificate. It is available at Kerala Treasury and Banks.
• For the One and Same Certificate, the affidavit of the individual needs to be only attested by an officer of Gazetted rank.