Various officials of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation (CMC) have been empowered to issue resident proof, income and other certificates in the absence of ward coordinators.

The certificates — which were issued by councillors, and then by ward coordinators after the last civic board’s tenure lapsed in May 2020 — are required to get benefits under various social welfare schemes of the government.

The executive engineer, assistant engineer and sub-assistant engineer of the civil department of the CMC can issue income certificates and income resident proof certificates. Any gazetted government officer can also issue a residency proof certificate.

The chief manager, manager, deputy manager and assistant manager of the CMC’s social welfare department can also issue residency proof certificates and income certificates, besides certificates required to receive old-age pension, said an official of the civic body.

The borough executive health officer and ward medical officer can issue a pauper certificate that allows a family from the below poverty line (BPL) category to complete cremation at a crematorium without any cost.

Another CMC official said income certificates were required for scholarships, waiver or reduction in tuition fees and benefits under various government schemes.

The residency proof certificate, too, is needed to get benefits under government schemes.

“Issuing these certificates was one of the primary roles of a councillor,” said an official.

The post of ward coordinators ceased after the Central Election Commission had on March 20 said political appointees holding the post of administrators would be temporarily restrained from exercising their powers.