A 50-year-old resident of Faridabad, Pawan Kumar, and his wife Shyam Wati are set to celebrate their 31st wedding anniversary on June 12. However, the occasion is overshadowed by a peculiar administrative hurdle that Kumar has been grappling with since February: proving that he is not dead.
Error in Parivar Pehchan Patra Database
According to the Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) database, Shyam Wati is listed as a widow. Kumar discovered this mistake only after his application for financial aid under the Mukhyamantri Vivah Shagun Yojana, intended for his daughter's wedding on February 18, was rejected. "I am alive and standing right in front of you, but officials are not ready to accept it," Kumar told the Times of India.
Impact on Family Benefits
The error, made in 2024, has since forced Kumar to visit numerous government offices, each time being asked to produce documents to prove his identity. A resident of Mirzapur village and a salesman at a clothing store, Kumar explained that the ordeal began when his application was stalled without explanation. Upon inquiry, he learned that the mistake had effectively disqualified his family from receiving benefits under the scheme. Adding to the confusion, his name continues to appear in family records alongside his children's, creating a contradictory situation on paper.
Demand for Documents
Kumar has been asked to submit his children's educational certificates, voter ID cards, and old ration card records for verification. He has made repeated visits to government offices and grievance redressal camps, including a Samadhan Shivir at the mini secretariat, but has found little relief. "Instead of correcting the mistake, they keep asking for documents I don't have," he said.
Issue of Marriage Certificate
A key sticking point has been the demand for a marriage certificate from over three decades ago. "My marriage took place in 1995, when registration was not common. Where do I bring proof from now?" he asked. Kumar also alleged that some officials tried to shift blame onto him. "Why would I declare myself dead and then come back to say I am alive?" he said.
District Administration's Response
The district administration has stated that it has initiated steps to resolve the issue. Additional Deputy Commissioner Anjali Shrotriya acknowledged the discrepancy and explained the procedure for correcting such errors. "The initial data is self-declared by citizens at common service centres or entered by private operators. The individual has stated he was married at a time when such documentation was not commonly maintained, which led to delays. We have now asked for alternative documents to establish the relationship," she said.
Next Steps
Kumar has been asked to submit his children's educational certificates, voter ID cards, and old ration card records for verification. Officials from the social welfare office confirmed that the family's application was rejected solely due to this anomaly in the records. "Once these are submitted, a speaking order will be passed and corrections will be initiated. We are assisting proactively, but the required documents are still awaited. We have also suggested that he get a marriage certificate made," Shrotriya added.
