Bihar: ASHA Worker Demands Bribe for Birth Certificate, Blames 'System from Top to Bottom'

A troubling case of bribery has surfaced in Bihar’s Katihar district, where an ASHA worker demanded a bribe of ₹1,200 from a woman for facilitating her child's birth certificate. The incident occurred in Dhanetha village, Magheli Panchayat, Phalka block. The ASHA worker, Poonam Devi, allegedly told the mother that money had to be handed over "from top to bottom" in order to get the certificate made—a justification often cited to mask systemic corruption.

The victim has reportedly been trying to secure her child's birth certificate for four years. Her child was delivered under Poonam Devi’s supervision, but no birth certificate was issued at that time. Since then, repeated attempts by the mother have been met with demands for money and excuses for delays by the ASHA worker.

This is not an isolated case. Bihar has witnessed several such incidents where ASHA workers, responsible for assisting with maternal and child health and documentation, have been accused of demanding money for issuing birth certificates. Similar allegations surfaced previously in Banka district’s Chakmathura village, among others.

Officials acknowledge that irregularities in issuing birth certificates have led to public hardship. The common thread in these cases is the misuse of authority by grassroots health workers, often justified on the grounds that a "cut" is required at each administrative level to process official documents. However, such practices contribute to delays, corruption, and the suffering of ordinary citizens seeking basic civic documentation.

Recent administrative reforms have tried to tighten regulations around the issuance of birth and death certificates, assigning more responsibility to panchayat officials and higher-level scrutiny for late applications. Nevertheless, middlemen and bribery complaints persist, especially in rural areas, indicating the need for stricter enforcement and awareness initiatives to curb such illegal practices and ensure that critical public services remain accessible and corruption-free.