Mumbai Mayor Orders Birth Certificate Checks for Hawkers

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has announced a comprehensive verification drive targeting hawkers operating on city footpaths, directing officials to scrutinise birth certificates as part of efforts to identify illegal residents and address security concerns. The initiative was announced following her first administrative meeting with senior officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the mayor said the verification exercise would be carried out thoroughly and warned that no exceptions would be made. She emphasised that the issue has serious implications for civic administration and national security, and that authorities must ensure proper documentation for individuals operating businesses on public spaces.

The meeting was attended by former Member of Parliament Kirit Somaiya, who has repeatedly raised concerns regarding illegal immigration and documentation irregularities in parts of Mumbai. He has urged authorities to undertake stricter verification procedures and take action against fraudulent records.

During the briefing, Tawde expressed concern over reports that approximately 237 birth certificates may have been accepted without adequate verification. She alleged that in some instances, documents listed non-existent hospitals as places of birth, raising questions about authenticity and oversight mechanisms.

Referring to details presented during the meeting, the mayor highlighted allegations involving the issuance of birth certificates under questionable circumstances, including cases where medical certification was reportedly provided despite the certifying doctor not being present at the time of birth. She stated that despite the seriousness of such allegations, no formal police complaint had been registered.

Somaiya further claimed that thousands of fraudulent birth certificates or related documents may have been issued in certain localities, areas he alleged also have a high concentration of undocumented migrants. Authorities have not independently confirmed these figures.

The mayor directed BMC officials to initiate swift action and submit findings within a specified timeframe. She warned that failure to take concrete steps within one month could result in resolutions being introduced against responsible officials in the civic body.

The proposed verification drive is expected to focus on documentation authenticity, licensing compliance, and adherence to municipal regulations governing street vendors. Officials are also expected to coordinate with relevant departments to ensure that due process is followed during the verification exercise.

The announcement has brought renewed attention to issues surrounding urban migration, documentation verification, and regulation of street vending in India’s financial capital. Experts note that while enforcement drives aim to improve civic management and security oversight, they must also balance legal safeguards and livelihood protections for street vendors.

Authorities are expected to outline procedural details and timelines for the verification process in the coming weeks.