Patna: The Department of Panchayati Raj has introduced a new system in Bihar that will enable residents to receive death certificates within 24 hours through email, WhatsApp, or a dedicated mobile application.
The move is aimed at simplifying access to an essential legal document, particularly for residents in rural areas, while ensuring greater transparency and efficiency in the registration of deaths.
Under the new framework, Ward Members have been assigned a central role in the process. They will act as the designated officials overseeing cemeteries, cremation grounds, Moksha Dhams, and funeral homes. After a funeral, the Ward Member will collect and submit relevant details to the Panchayat Secretary, who serves as the Registrar responsible for issuing the certificate.
The reform seeks to address longstanding challenges faced by rural residents, who previously had to navigate cumbersome procedures and make repeated visits to government offices. Officials say the new system will eliminate such delays and reduce the need for physical queues, allowing certificates to be delivered directly to mobile phones within a day.
A death certificate remains a critical document for accessing a range of services, including insurance claims, pensions, and property inheritance. Until now, applicants often had to wait up to 21 days for issuance.
The updated guidelines also clarify the role of location in the certification process. If a death occurs within a village, the Panchayat Secretary will issue the certificate. However, in cases where the death takes place outside the Panchayat’s jurisdiction, families will need to approach the district office instead.
Authorities have also retained the option for families to collect a physical copy of the certificate from the Panchayat office, ensuring accessibility for those who prefer offline documentation.
Officials say the initiative will not only improve service delivery but also help maintain more accurate and up-to-date records at the Panchayat level, marking a step forward in Bihar’s push towards digital governance.
