The Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) launched computerised birth registration from February 11. Till July 2, 2008 the corporation will provide the certificate free of charges.

Sources in DCC Birth and Death Registration section told Star City that necessary software and equipment have already been installed at all its 10 zonal offices and concerned staffs received special training to provide the

service.

UNICEF and Plan Bangladesh provided technical support to set up appropriate system.

After July 2008 computerised version of Bangla certificates will cost Tk40. However for English version the charge will be Tk100. The corporation will charge Tk20 for any corrections. It will take maximum 15 days to issue a certificate.

To issue a certificate for adults, one must live in the DCC area for at least three years to receive the certificate.

According to a survey conducted by UNICEF, only 7 to 10 percent birth is registered in Bangladesh. The rest of the 90 per cent of the country's total population remain unregistered. Because of the absence of birth registration system it becomes extremely difficult to ensure child rights in the country.

The Births and Deaths Registration Act, 2004 was enacted on July 4, 2006. Government of Bangladesh is planning to register all births by the year 2008.

Under the new law parents are required to register the birth of their babies within 45 days.

Birth registration will be possible even without the name of the newborn. However, parents must provide the name within 45 days.

Government earlier decided that birth certificates would soon be mandatory for admission in educational institutions, appointment in government services, for issuance of passport and driving licenses, enrolment in voters' list and land registration.