On January 1, 2025, the Government of Madhya Pradesh notified the Madhya Pradesh Registration of Births and Deaths Rules 2024 under the powers conferred by Section 30 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969.
Key Provisions of the Rules:
Definitions:
- Definitions related to the Act, forms, and sections are clarified. For example, “Form” refers to the forms appended to these rules.
Gestation Period:
- For the purpose of clause (g) of Section 2, the period of gestation is defined as 28 weeks.
Submission of Report:
- Reports under Section 4(4) are to be submitted annually by the Chief Registrar to the State Government by July 31 of the year following the reporting year.
Information for Registration of Births and Deaths:
- Information for births, deaths, and stillbirths is to be given within 21 days of occurrence using Forms 1, 2, and 3.
- Legal Part and Statistical Part are specified within these forms.
Birth or Death in a Vehicle:
- If a birth or death occurs in a moving vehicle, the information must be reported at the first place of halt.
Certificates of Death Causes:
- Certificates for the cause of death (including illness history) will be issued in Forms 4 and 4A.
Certificates for Registration of Births or Deaths:
- The certificate for registration of birth or death will be issued in Forms 5 and 6.
- There are specific procedures for domiciliary and institutional events for issuing these certificates.
Delayed Registration and Fee:
- Late registrations within 30 days incur a fee of Rs. 20.
- After 30 days but within a year, a Rs. 50 fee applies with written permission from the District Registrar.
- After a year, registrations require permission from a District Magistrate and a late fee of Rs. 100.
Name Registration:
- If a child’s birth was registered without a name, the name must be provided within 12 months from the date of registration. After 12 months, a 5-year extension is provided for submitting the name.
Correction or Cancellation of Entries:
- If an error is found in the register, it can be corrected or canceled following prescribed procedures, with oversight from the State Government.
Fees and Postal Charges:
- Fees for searches, certificates, and non-availability certificates are outlined, e.g., Rs. 50 for a birth or death certificate, and Rs. 20 for a search in a given year.
Periodical Returns:
- Monthly statistical returns must be submitted to the Chief Registrar by the 5th of each month.
Offences and Penalties:
- Offences under the Act may be compounded on payment of fines, with the fee depending on the type of offence.
Record Keeping:
- Birth and death registers are permanent records and cannot be destroyed. The registers must be retained for 12 months at the Registrar’s office before being transferred for safekeeping.
Repeal of Previous Rules:
- The Madhya Pradesh Registration of Births and Deaths Rules, 1999 are repealed in favor of the new rules, but actions previously taken under the old rules will be deemed valid under the new provisions.
Conclusion:
The Madhya Pradesh Registration of Births and Deaths Rules 2024 establish a clear, updated framework for the registration process, correcting errors, handling delays, and defining the procedures for births, deaths, and stillbirths. These rules aim to streamline the registration process and ensure consistency across the state.
