Dimapur: A state-level inter-departmental coordination committee meeting on Thursday called for continued efforts to improve the overall civil registration process in Nagaland, particularly through greater coordination between departments and the adoption of new technologies.
The meeting, held at the directorate of economics and statistics in Kohima, addressed several key issues related to the registration of births and deaths as well as efforts to improve the civil registration system across the state.
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According to an official report, as of March 31, 2023, there are 1,471 registration centres in the state, with 1,439 of them located in the rural areas and 32 in urban areas.
In rural areas, each recognised village has a registration unit managed by the head teacher of the government primary school, who serves as the registrar for births and deaths. In addition, there are also registration units at primary health centres and community health centres.
The urban areas, particularly district headquarters, have registration units located in the district registrar’s offices, headed by the district economics and statistics officer. The units are also available in government district hospitals, municipal offices, and town councils.
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To facilitate operations, statistical staff such as inspectors of statistics and field investigators assists in managing these urban registration units.
The state’s high share of delayed birth registrations, beyond 21 days, was a focal point of discussion.
A government notification dated September 20, 2024 mandates that indigenous inhabitants register births within six months as part of the process for applying for an indigenous inhabitant certificate.
The meeting addressed the need to streamline delayed registrations and the necessary documentary proof.
The report said despite an increase in the number of registered births and deaths, there remains room for improvement.
The meeting urged stakeholders from educational institutions, medical centres, village development boards, and anganwadi centres to raise awareness on the importance of timely registration.