Self-attestation a revolutionary decision, says minister Jitendra Singh

, Oct 7 : Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh on Tuesday said the government move to provide for self-certification of documents was a "revolutionary decision".

Addressing the launch of an international symposium here and later interacting with the media, he said self-certification marks a departure from the established system of over 65 years.

Replacing the need for attestation by a gazetted officer with self-certification by a citizen was a major citizen-friendly initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the minister said.

He said notification concerning self-certification will be made soon but the government had made known its intent. "We have not fixed a deadline. (Will) like to do it sooner than later." The necessary circular had been sent to various departments and his ministry would welcome suggestions from states too.

Modi had been pushing for a shift to self-certification and minimum use of affidavits to benefit the common man, Jitendra Singh said.

Modi had been pushing for a shift to self-certification

The central government has asked all its departments as also state governments to make provision for self-certification of documents in place of affidavits. Officials said under the self-certification method, original documents would have to be produced only at the final stage.

Earlier, in his speech, Jitendra Singh said the government was seeking to improve governance at various levels.

Soon after taking over, Modi called for "maximum governance, minimum government", he said. "We are already into e-governance. We have tried to evolve synergy in the working of the government."

The two-day symposium has been organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Delegates from 22 countries are taking part in the symposium whose themes include global best practices in public administration reforms, improving delivery of public services, advancing knowledge management in government, promoting gender responsive delivery of public services and improving transparency and accountability in public services.

IANS