Going abroad to study, work? No need for Dilli Chalo to get certificates attested

Some red tape has been cut. Come July 1 and there8217;s good news for those wishing to go abroad for education or employment. They don8217;t have to come all the way to New Delhi to get their academic certificates 8220;authenticated8221; by babus at the Human Resource Development HRD ministry. They can go to their respective state capitals and get it done.

The HRD ministry 8212; on the directions of the Prime Minister8217;s Office 8212; has delegated the power to authenticate educational certificates to all state governments. This comes after several complaints from students and job-seekers across the country of unnecessary harassment travelling all the way to Delhi. An estimated 8.5 lakh individuals went overseas last year for either education or jobs.

Though the directive was given to the HRD ministry by the PMO in July 2004 8212; soon after the UPA took charge 8212; nothing moved. Sources said the HRD bureaucracy wasn8217;t too enthusiastic to let go of the power to authenticate. But with regular reminders from the PMO, it had little choice.

Now Chief Secretaries of all states have been asked to appoint 8220;authentication officers8221; and publicise their name and contact details.