(Complaint received from a concerned citizen)
The process of obtaining or correcting Birth and Death Certificates at District Hospital Senapati has become a matter of deep concern for the general public due to the exorbitant charges being collected from citizens. It has come to our knowledge that the hospital authorities are imposing a fee of ₹500 for simple corrections and an astonishing ₹1000 for cancellations.
Such practices are not only unreasonable but also reflect a form of exploitation of ordinary people who often struggle financially to meet even their basic daily needs. The issuance of Birth and Death Certificates is a fundamental right of every citizen, as these official records are crucial for accessing government schemes, healthcare benefits, educational opportunities, and even simple procedures like school admissions or property claims.
Charging such high amounts in the name of a correction or cancellation creates undue hardship, particularly for poor and marginalized sections of the community. Citizens question whether these charges are in accordance with any government guidelines or whether they are arbitrarily fixed by certain officials to extract money from helpless families. This act feels nothing short of exploitation, because instead of providing transparent, accessible, and people-friendly services, the system is creating unnecessary financial burdens on the very community it is supposed to serve.
The hospital, being a government institution, should uphold fairness and sensitivity towards its people rather than turning an essential public service into a financial burden. A fair and nominal fee structure, in line with state rules and government notifications, must be ensured to restore public faith.
Therefore, we request the concerned higher authorities to urgently investigate these irregular practices, immediately stop the arbitrary charging of ₹500 and ₹1000, and implement a just system where every citizen can access their rightful certificates without facing exploitation in the name of service.
