Ranchi, Jan. 4: Cautioning the residents of the capital against fake birth certificates being issued by touts, Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) today asked them to get birth certificates of newborns verified through its official website.

“We have received numerous complaints of fake birth certificates. So, we have issued a public notice asking all residents of the city to get birth certificates of newborns verified through the RMC official website, http://www.ranchimunicipal.com,” said RMC health officer Rekha Rani Singh.

RMC is the only authorised agency to issue birth and death certificates if the event had occurred within its jurisdiction.

“Our website contains details of all birth certificates being issued by the Ranchi Municipal Corporation every day. Each certificate has a specific registration number. The number appearing on the hard copy of the birth certificate, in possession of the holder, should match with that shown on our website. This is the only way to check if the certificate is genuine,” Singh said.

“Most people, even educated ones, prefer to get their work done through touts and other such agents. These people are the most vulnerable as they do not care to visit the Ranchi Municipal Corporation office. Applying for a birth certificate is easy and hassle-free though all applications should be accompanied by documentary evidence, say from a state hospital or nursing home,” said a RMC employee.

The civic authority, it seems, has other tricks up its sleeves to get rid of the “tout menace”.

To help people desiring to apply for a birth certificate for newborns, the Ranchi Municipal Corporation has made it mandatory for the applicants to appear in person and get rid of touts.

Filling up the application form, too, is not cumbersome and Ranchi Municipal Corporation assures all applicants that the birth certificate would be issued within 24 hours from the date of application for registration.

The Ranchi Municipal Corporation health officer pointed out that no fee is charged if application for a birth certificate is submitted within 21 days from the date of birth.

The Ranchi Municipal Corporation health officer added that apart from a hospital or a nursing home, information of births may be given by the parent, head of household or nearest relative, or the head of any other institution where the baby is born or even by the panchayat sevak.