In another attempt to lure voters, specifically women voters before the general election polls, the Maharashtra State Cabinet has decided to make the inclusion of mother’s name mandatory in all government documents. In simple terms, the name of a person should be in the order of : applicant’s first name, followed by the mother’s first name, then the father’s first name and lastly the surname. It has been made mandatory in documents like Aadhar Card, PAN Card, birth certificates, school documents, etc. The order is to be implemented from 1st May, 2024.
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What is the decision made by the government?
The decision was taken in the presence of CM Eknath Shinde and the two deputy Chief Ministers of the Maharashtra government. They have uploaded the decision taken on 11th March, 2024 on their official website. The ministers including Eknath Shinde, present at the meeting held placards with their names and the names were listed as : Eknath Gangubai Sambhaji Shinde, Devendra Sarita Gangadharrao Fadnavis and Ajit Ashatai Anantrao Pawar.
CM Shinde took to X and wrote, “The state government has taken a historic decision to give credit to Mauli who plays a lion’s share in raising us right from giving birth to us. Henceforth it has been made mandatory to write mother’s name along with father’s name on every government document. I, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar have decided to start this with ourselves.” and shared a picture.
This decision applies to all the people who are born on or after 1st May 2014. They will have to mention the applicant’s name in the said format, however, orphans are exempted from this. The people falling under the category have to register their names for school, examination certificates, pay slips, and revenue documents. The Maharashtra State Public Health Department has also been asked by the State Government to consult with the Central Government on whether or not the mother’s name can be included in birth and death registrations.
Special directions for married women :
There are special directions for the cases of married women where the existing system of the woman’s name followed by her husband’s first name and surname is allowed to be continued. This decision is being seen as a small step towards inclusivity and recognition for mothers as said by the women and child development department as the conservative method of carrying a father’s name is now being demolished.
The income tax department, in 2018, had made a rule that mentioning an applicant’s father’s name in the PAN application form will not be mandatory in case of the applicant having their mother as a single parent. Soon after which, they amended the rules which gave an option to the applicant where they can tell if their mother is a single parent and if they wish to carry forward only her name.
Aditi Tatkare, the Minister for Women and Child Welfare and Development who proposed this hallmark initiative also expressed her satisfaction with the decision and expressed her gratitude to CM Shinde, deputy ministers, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar for their support in the cabinet. The new policy will come into effect from 1st May, 2024.
