Mumbai: In a major crackdown on illegal settlements, the Maharashtra government has announced stringent measures to prevent Bangladeshis and Rohingyas from obtaining fake birth certificates.

Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule unveiled plans to amend the Birth and Death Registration Act, introducing tighter regulations and harsher penalties for fraudulent applications.

Key Measures:

■ Birth and death registrations will now be treated as quasi-judicial matters, requiring rigorous scrutiny.

■ Applications for certificates for events over a year old must be backed by substantial evidence. Failure to provide valid proof will result in criminal charges.

■ The process for delayed registrations, as per the Birth and Death Registration Act of 1969 and Maharashtra Birth and Death Registration Rules of 2000, has been clearly defined.

■ Certificates will be issued only after verifying records from the place of birth or death. Officials, from village officers to district collectors, have been directed to enforce strict checks.

■ If discrepancies are found, officials must issue a nonavailability certificate with an explanation.

■ All applications will undergo police verification, and final approval will be based on the police department's report. This move aims to curb the misuse of birth certificates for illegal settlements, ensuring a more transparent and accountable registration process.