RTI Applications seeking clarification regarding Self-Attested documents filed
8 May, 2015In a written reply to a question by Dr. R. Lakshmanan in the Rajya Sabha yesterday, the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr. Jitendra Singh informed that representations have been received from the general public regarding non-acceptance of self-attested documents by the officials. Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances has been requesting States / UTs and Central Ministries to adopt self-certification and for abolition of affidavits and several communications have been sent in this regard.
However, many applications have been received from the public under the RTI Act, 2005 seeking clarification on the subject. The Minister informed that the Government has received representations /grievances /complaints from general public regarding non-acceptance of self-attested documents by the officials. Two references of public grievances were received on non-acceptance of self-certification by different authorities.
Replacing the affidavits with self attested documents has been a major administrative reform initiated by the government which can make the life of the citizens convenient. However, it does not seem to be percolating down.