IMPHAL, February 27: As per the plea made by MLA of Keishamthong Constituency Laishom Ibomcha in the ongoing Assembly session yesterday, a State Cabinet meeting convened today has decided to replace the erstwhile attestation by Gazetted Officer for submission of affidavit and required documents for seeking admission in educational institutions and applying jobs by self-certification and self-attestation.
This was informed by CAF & PD and Education Minister Moirangthem Okendro who is also the government’s spokesperson.
The meeting was held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat with CM Ibobi Singh in the chair.
Okendro informed that the State government through a written statement was asked by Department of Public Grievances, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pension under the aegis of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to do the replacement.
This is to ease the inconveniences faced by the people in the time of submission of affidavit and documents for admission in educational institution and application for jobs with attestation of signatures of Gazetted Officer. The erstwhile process is time consuming and required unnecessary money expense, he said.
The Minister elaborated that the 12th Report of Citizen Centric Administration – The Heart of Governance published by the Second Administrative Reforms Commission recommended self-certification and self-attestation in taking up any such necessary steps.
The process had already been put in place in the State of Punjab. As per the instruction of the Ministry, necessary steps have been initiated to apply the same in some other States as well, he said.
He maintained that the Cabinet decision was arrived in tandem with the changing pattern and with the objective of bring governance and people closer through the process.
Stating that the State government will implement the rule of issuing notification of the process accordingly, Okendro said anyone who manipulates the self-certification and self-attestation is punishable under various Sections of Indian Penal Code.
It may be mentioned that a Private Member Resolution was passed in the Assembly session yesterday after MLA Ibomcha urged the government to issue a notification to replace ‘’Attestation by Gazetted Officer and Other’’ by ‘’Self-Attestation’’.
The MLA withdrew his motion after the government assured of issuing an order in this regard within a week though CM Ibobi who is also the leader of the House did not pass the resolution.
Minister Okendro added that the new process will also make easier submission of required documents by beneficiaries under National Food Security Act to the government.
The ambitious National Food Security Act will be implemented in the State from coming April 1.