The Belagavi City Corporation has implemented changes to the death registration process, leading to delays and frustration among citizens. Previously, information about the deceased was recorded at the respective crematoriums, facilitating prompt registration. However, under the new system, relatives must fill out application forms, which are then scrutinized by health inspectors before registration. Unfortunately, this process has caused significant delays, leaving grieving families in distress.
The delay is exacerbated by the requirement for health inspectors to conduct inquiries into each death before submitting reports to the Health Department for registration. This bureaucratic hurdle has led to complaints about prolonged waiting periods and has hindered the timely issuance of death certificates, essential for legal and inheritance matters.
The shift in procedure was initiated during Dr. Sanjay Dumgol’s tenure as Health Officer, aiming to prevent false registrations. Yet, the lack of availability of application forms and delays in the inspection process have resulted in unintended consequences, prompting calls for a return to the previous method.
Under the old system, municipal staff at crematoriums recorded information provided by families or relatives after cremation, streamlining the registration process. However, the current approach has left citizens feeling neglected and underserved.
There is a growing demand for municipal authorities to address these issues promptly and reinstate the previous registration method to alleviate the burden on grieving families and ensure smoother administrative processes during times of loss.