New Delhi, Aug 2 (KNN) Pitching in for minimum use of using affidavits, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pushed for shifting to self-certification of  their official documents, a move which will save a common man from filing the notarised affidavits and get gazetted officers signature of attestation.
 
"The PM has sought minimum use of affidavits and shift to self-certification, so as to benefit the common man," PMO said in a release.
 
It is expected to benefit the people immensely, as all affidavits not required by law shall eventually be done away with, PMO added.


“In a citizen-friendly initiative, all Ministries and Departments of the Union Government, and all State Governments, have been asked to make provision for self-certification of documents in place of affidavits,” it said.


The requirement of attestation by Gazetted Officer is also sought to be replaced by self-certification by the citizen. 


Under the self-certification method, the original documents are required to be produced at the final stage. 


The Prime Minister, during his meeting with all Union Secretaries on June 4, 2014, had spoken of reforming the public service delivery system, and bridging the governance deficit. This measure is a start in that direction.
 

In case of false self-certification, relevant provisions under the Indian Penal Code would apply, the release said.
 
"This measure is a start in the direction of reforming the public service delivery system and bridging the governance deficit," it added.
 

Apart from affidavits, the government wants self-certification to replace the requirement of attestation by gazetted officers for several documents as well.
 
"Obtaining either an attested copy or affidavit not only costs money to the poor citizen but also involves wastage of time of the citizens as well as of the government officials," the administrative reforms and public grievances department has said in a missive to states and central ministries. (KNN/SD)