Kamal Ghorui
Mumbai: Amid a crackdown on fake birth certificates allegedly issued to illegal migrants in the city, a sweeping internal probe by BMC has uncovered violations in birth and death registration system, exposing what officials described as a parallel, unauthorised data trail across all 24 wards. The probe report called for the suspension of a third medical officer of health (MOH) in the fake certificates case.The report, tabled before BMC chief Ashwini Bhide on Thursday, found that MOHs in many wards were making corrections to birth-death records not only in the mandatory CRS (civil registration system) for birth and death registration portal but also in the old SAP-CPWM system (BMC’s internal system)—a violation of ]Registrar General of India’s guidelines. The report has been approved by Bhide.The report said from 2024-26, over 87,000 corrections were made through the SAP system, while only 33,772 entries were made on the CRS portal. “The administration has ordered immediate end to all SAP entries; the IT director has been told to revoke all SAP authorisations of MOHs,” said a senior BMC official.The report recommended suspension of former MOH of L and E wards Dr Shailendra Gujar and disciplinary action against many officials. Two MOHs and two birth registration clerks from M-East were earlier suspended; FIRs were filed against the two MOHs.“The report said prima facie evidence has been established in the E ward probe with regard to birth registrations, while a separate, independent probe is now underway in L ward,” the official said.The probe also recommended that a phased transfer of MOHs be initiated, beginning with K-West, R-North and E wards. “Abnormalities were noted in the number of corrections done in these three wards and, hence, it has been decided to transfer the officials. They will be given other postings and not that of MOHs,” said the official. Since census work is in progress, the transfers will be done in phases. It has also been decided to restructure the responsibilities of the MOHs across wards.Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya, who had flagged the irregularities with birth and death registrations in 2024-25, said, “This is the first time that BMC is taking such stringent action in the case, following my detailed probe into the depth of the racket. I credit the civic chief for recognising the seriousness of the issue and sending out a strong message.”
