Demanding affidavits to invite action

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 26

The government has warned officials of strict action if they continue to insist on the submission of affidavits on stamp papers, attested by magistrates/ notaries. The government had abolished sworn affidavits for routine works.

Orders issued many times

• The orders regarding the abolition of affidavits and their replacement by self-certification were notified on January 31, 2015, to facilitate people
• The orders were reissued on June 11, 2019, and January 18, 2020. Still officials are insisting on attested affidavits
• These involved cost of papers and attestation. The decision was taken to save people from inconvenience but the orders have not been implemented

The orders regarding the abolition of affidavits and their replacement by self-certification were notified on January 31, 2015, to facilitate people and the orders were reissued on June 11, 2019, and January 18, 2020, but still the officials are insisting on attested affidavits.

These involved cost of papers and attestation. The decision was taken to save people from inconvenience but the orders have not been implemented till date, prompting the Administrative Reforms (AR) Department to caution the erring officials.

The department has written to all additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries, secretaries, heads of the departments and other supervisory officers to ensure that their subordinate staff do not insist on submitting affidavits and only ask for self-attestation for routine works, except in the cases where there is statutory provision in Acts/Rules to furnish affidavit on stamp paper attested by the competent authority.

In his latest communication, the Secretary (AR) has emphasised that any official insisting on affidavit in normal transactions of government business unless affidavit is required under the statutory provision, will face action for defiance of government order.

“There is no change in the attitude of officers, who are adamant on demanding affidavits. Recently, I had some work and the officer concerned wanted me to furnish an affidavit and in spite of my repeated assertions, he did not budge,” said a citizen.

However, another reason for non-implementing the government orders is that the people and officers are not aware of it.