The City Council on Saturday authorised the Karachi Nazim to clinch deal with National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) on the implementation of Civil Registration Management System (CRMS) in the metropolis.
A majority of the council members, mostly from treasury benches at the Council Hall voted for a resolution presented by Muhammad Iftikhar Alam of Haq Parast group on Nadra's new system aimed at providing computerised documentation of events like birth, death, marriages and divorce.
The session was presided over by City Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil. The resolution said under article 4.2 (clauses A, B, C, D) of the draft agreement union councils (UCs) while charging its share of fee as per article 76 (e) and 88-B would pay Nadra Rs 50 on the issuance of each CRMS. Nadra, besides producing CRMS would also provide technical support, training and supervision in the 18 towns of the metropolis, it said.
Under the agreement the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) would bring childbirth registration under CRMS with immediate effect, said the document. Khalid Waheed, Project Manager of Nadra, who was also present during the session for answering queries from the members, said that Nadra was launching the system to serve the Karachiites rather than making profits out of the project.
Impressive feedback came on the surface both from the treasury and opposition benches as the convenor asked for suggestions from the House on CRMS. Rafique Ahmed of Al-Khidmat panel on point of order raised serious concerns on the new "government levy" in the face of Rs 50 charges for CRMS and termed it a burden on the poor.
Ahmed rejecting the resolution as illegal said that Nadra should provide the CRMS service "free of cost", adding that the UCs had the authority to fix the fee and not the Nadra or any other organisation.
He said the opposition had no objection on introduction of the system but wanted to discuss the modalities when the convenor told him that CRMS had already taken effect in Punjab province.
Terming the system a good omen for Karachiites Masood Mehmood from a Haq Parast Group proposed a uniform fee structure, not more than Rs 100, on the issuance of certificates under CRMS in all towns. Waqar Ahsan from treasury benches hailing the new data collection system of the "Vital Events" demanded Nadra of providing staff to the UCs besides other facilities.
Mohammad Islam from Bin Qasim Town termed the passage of resolution on CRMS premature and proposed the formulation of a committee, which would come up with recommendations on the issue. Earlier, the climate of session went noisy, when the convenor refused to permit a member from opposition benches and Asif Siddiqui of Haq Parast panel seeking debate on the law and order situation in Lyari Town and the rising suicide attacks in the NWFP respectively.
The Naib Nazim contended that the law and order issues were not in the City Council's jurisdiction. Reacting to the convenor's refusal, Rukhsana Baloch on point of order accused the "unsympathetic" council of ignoring the people of Lyari.
Fateha was offered for the victims of Friday's Lyari shootout and the killing of Pakistan army personnel in Waziristan Agency on Saturday. The convenor adjourned the session till July 18.
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