Uttarakhand govt to tighten family register rules to prevent fraud, illegal settlements, and demographic imbalance. New guidelines soon.

Dehradun, Uttarakhand: The Uttarakhand government is planning stricter regulations for adding names to the family register, following an alarming rise in illegal entries, frauds, and irregularities in both urban and border areas. A formal proposal for the new rules is expected to be forwarded to the Cabinet soon.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami highlighted that the existing rules are weak and vague, which has allowed misuse of the family register. “In recent years, a large number of irregularities have surfaced, which are not in the interest of the state,” Dhami said.

Irregularities in Key Districts

According to officials, the demographic balance in areas like Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, Pauri, Kotdwar, Tehri, Champawat, Banbasa, and Tanakpur is being affected. Authorities have found names of individuals in the family register who did not have prior residency in these areas. In some cases, fake entries were made in the names of local residents, leading to a rapid increase in the outside population.

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CM Dhami stressed that ensuring a safe Uttarakhand for future generations is a top priority and that no risks will be taken in this regard.

Need for New Rules

Officials noted that the current system allows name registration without proper verification. Many entries lack the required signatures of authorities, and the process under the Right to Service Act, which mandates registration within three days, makes thorough verification nearly impossible.

The government plans to:

• Define “residency” clearly to prevent misuse.

• Extend the time limit for adding names to allow proper verification of documents and facts.

• Add new columns to the family register form to make the process more transparent.

Focus on Transparency and Order

The proposed reforms aim to make the family register more strict, transparent, and orderly, ensuring demographic balance while curbing illegal settlements and fraud. Officials say these measures will prevent exploitation and protect the integrity of Uttarakhand’s population records.