Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday sought minimum use of affidavits for official work, asking government departments to shift to self-certification to benefit the common man.

 

 In a citizen-friendly initiative, all ministries and departments of the central as well as state governments have been asked to make provision for self-certification of documents in place of affidavits, an official release said here.

 

 The requirement of attestation by a gazetted officer is also sought to be replaced by self-certification by the citizen.  Under the self-certification method, the original documents are required to be produced at the final stage.  The prime minister, during his meeting with all union secretaries June 4 had spoken of reforming the public service delivery system and bridging the governance deficit.

 

 "This measure is a start in that direction. It is expected to benefit the people immensely, as all affidavits not required by law shall eventually be done away with," the release said.

 

 "Obtaining either an attested copy or affidavit not only costs money to the poor citizen but also involves wastage of time of the citizens as well as of the government officials," the department of administrative reforms and public grievances has noted in a communication to all government departments.

 

 The department has called for a review of the existing requirement of affidavits and attestation by gazetted officers and replacement by self-certification. In case of false self-certification, relevant provisions under the Indian Penal Code would apply.