Bihar’s Low Birth Registration Rate Alarming

BIHAR LAGS IN BIRTH REGISTRATION: CRS REPORT HIGHLIGHTS CONCERNS

Why in the News?

  • CRS report findings: Bihar’s birth registration coverage was just 3.7% in 2000 and 16.9% in 2005, far below the national averages of 56.2% and 62.5%, respectively, according to data from the Civil Registration System (CRS) and vital statistics system available on crstn.org.
  • Ongoing revision: The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in Bihar now requires proof of birth, including the date of registration, sparking fresh concerns about registration in India.
  • Policy link: Comes amid the 2023 amendment to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, mandating digital birth certificates post-October 2023, aligning with sustainable development goals for universal civil registration.

Bihar's Low Birth Registration Rate Alarming

Persistent Gaps and Administrative Issues

  • Regional disparity: Excluding Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the 2005 national average rose to 78.3%, showing these states pull the average down in terms of birth registration levels.
  • Estimated vs registered: A significant gap exists between estimated births and actual registrations, especially in Bihar, U.P., and Andhra Pradesh, as revealed by demographic health surveys and CRS reports.
  • Compliance concerns: Many hospitals delay or avoid reporting births, leading to 10% non-registration, as per Registrar General of India (RGI) data. Community health workers play a crucial role in improving birth registration coverage.

Link to Electoral Roll Verification

  • Document mandate: For those born after Dec 2, 2004, 11 documents, including birth certificates, are required for voter ID enrolment. The block statistical officer often assists in verifying these documents.
  • Opposition criticism: Parties allege this move could be a backdoor NRC, demanding transparency and accountability in SIR procedures.

CIVIL REGISTRATION SYSTEM (CRS)

  • Definition: CRS is a continuous, permanent, and compulsory recording of vital events like births and deaths under the 1969 Act, forming the backbone of the vital statistics system.
  • Data source: It works alongside the Sample Registration System (SRS), which provides demographic estimates and complements demographic health surveys.
  • Legal mandate: Births must be registered within 21 days, but compliance varies across states, affecting overall birth registration levels.
  • Recent progress: In 2022, Bihar registered 71% births within 21 days, placing it among 14 states with 50–80% compliance, showing improvement in birth registration coverage.