Now, get not-found certificate the same day

In a bid to prevent visitors' inconvenience in getting the not-found certificate, which is required in case of lost birth record, the authorities at civil surgeon's office have decided to provide the certificate on the same day after receiving application.

Not-found certificate is required for people whose birth record was burnt in a fire incident at civil surgeon's office in 1993. Earlier, the staff used to take more than 15 days to issue it. On the first day of bringing the service in effect, 80 certificates were issued.

"On the directions of civil surgeon Dr Subhash Batta, we have started this service to save visitors' time. The people whose birth record was damaged in the fire need not-found certificate to apply for late entry of name in the birth register," said Sukhwinder Singh, superintendent, accounts, civil surgeon's office.

Meanwhile civil surgeon Dr Batta appealed to the public to submit application directly at the office instead of approaching agents.

Agents sitting outside the civil surgeon's office have been allegedly offering services to get visitors' applications processed "faster" in return for a "fee" of up to Rs 2,000.

"We appeal to public that there is no need to go to any agent to get a form. The application can be given by writing required details on a paper, following which we will issue the not-found certificate on the same day," said Sukhwinder, who is state president of Punjab Health Department Subordinate Offices Clerical Association.

Balwant Singh, a visitor, said, "It is a good step taken by the authorities. Earlier the people suffered a lot to get the certificate. The authorities should also take steps to improve other services regarding issuance of birth and death certificates to avoid harassment of public."