Kerala to introduce 'Nativity Cards' to replace certificates; move seen as counter to citizenship concerns

Thiruvananthapuram: In a significant policy shift aimed at countering the central government’s moves regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the Kerala government has announced it will issue 'Nativity Cards' to state residents. The new cards are set to replace the existing Nativity Certificates currently issued by village offices.

The decision was ratified during a Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday. Addressing a press conference later in the day, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that a draft law would be prepared to grant the new card full legal validity. Unlike the current certificate, which lacks statutory standing, the proposed photo-embedded card will be a legally valid document and can serve as proof of beneficiary identity for accessing various government services. The responsibility for distributing these cards will be entrusted to Tehsildars.

Mr Vijayan expressed deep concern over the plight of citizens currently struggling to prove their identity and existence. A person should be able to easily prove before anyone that they were born and live in this land, or are a permanent resident. No one should face a situation where they are excluded, he said, emphasising that the card is being conceived as an authentic document to ensure every individual possesses undeniable proof of their belonging to the state.

Addressing the bureaucratic hurdles faced by the public, the Chief Minister noted that while a Nativity Certificate proves birth and long-term residence, citizens are currently forced to obtain it repeatedly for different requirements. He acknowledged that the government had received numerous complaints regarding this repetitive process and assured that the introduction of a permanent Nativity Card would resolve these difficulties effectively.