No self-declaration at e-Disha,notary still making money

The instructions issued on April 28,2010 stated: “The public has to undergo a very cumbersome and tortuous procedure for preparation of affidavits. This has been resulting in unnecessary piling up of records in the offices. Government has decided that no government department or organisation would henceforth require the applicants to file affidavits for delivery of services except in those cases where affidavit is required by law or under the statutory rules. In place of affidavit,a self-declaration would be accepted.”

Moreover,it had stated that application forms may be drafted so as to contain an undertaking or declaration by the applicant,saying that the facts stated in the application are correct. In case of concealment or misrepresentation,legal action could be taken against the culprits under Sections 182 (giving false information),415 (dishonest concealment of facts) read with 417 (punishment for cheating) and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the IPC.

The instructions were supposed to be implemented from June 1,2010. However,at e-Disha in Panchkula,you are still required to provide an affidavit attested by the notary,who charges around Rs 40 or Rs 50 per affidavit. Every day,the e-Disha office receives around 300 files related to driving licence and registration of vehicles.

When this correspondent went to the e-Disha office to get a form for learner’s licence,the person at the counter handed over a affidavit comprising name,address and date of birth. When asked,he replied that the affidavit has to be attested by notary.

Panchkula SDM Kulwant Kalson,who is also the CEO of e-Disha,said: “Affidavit to zaroori hai. Panchkula mein pehle se hi affidavit lag raha hai (Affidavit is a must and in Panchkula,we have been asking for affidavits for a long time now).”