Key Points
- Assam govt set to tighten Aadhaar enrolment for adults; District Commissioner (DC) approval likely to be made mandatory.
- Exemption proposed for SC/ST communities; normal Aadhaar enrolment to continue for minors.
- Move aimed at curbing alleged misuse of Aadhaar by illegal immigrants to obtain voter, ration, and residence documents.
- CM Himanta Biswa Sarma signals cabinet-level push; formal proposal expected in upcoming meeting.
- Objective: plug fraud, enhance scrutiny, and prevent cross-border infiltration, especially from Bangladesh.
Dispur: The Assam government is preparing a stricter Aadhaar enrolment regime for adults, proposing that new Aadhaar cards (post-18 years) be issued only after explicit approval from the District Commissioner (DC). As indicated by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, this measure discussed informally in a cabinet sitting is intended to reduce the alleged misuse of Aadhaar by illegal immigrants to procure citizenship-linked documents and welfare entitlements.
According to the plan under consideration, Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) applicants will be exempted from the DC-approval requirement, while regular enrolment for minors will continue. A formal cabinet proposal is expected soon.
Why Assam Is Tightening Aadhaar
- Identity misuse concerns: Authorities cite cases where Aadhaar has been used as a gateway to obtain voter IDs, ration cards, and domicile certificates, thereby enabling non-citizens to establish paper trails.
- Border-state vulnerability: Assam’s proximity to Bangladesh and historical issues around infiltration have driven calls for heightened verification.
- Saturation and scrutiny: With most eligible residents already enrolled, the government argues that stricter checks on new adult applications can better filter fraud.
Important context: Aadhaar is a proof of identity and residence—not proof of Indian citizenship. However, it is widely required for access to services and documentation, which amplifies the risks when fraud occurs.
How The Proposed System Would Work
- Adult applications routed to DC: New Aadhaar enrolments for 18+ would require DC-level scrutiny and approval.
- Targeted exemptions: SC/ST categories would be exempt from the DC approval layer, to avoid undue hardship.
- Focused verification: Authorities could apply additional residence and document checks for border and high-risk belts.
- Existing Aadhaar holders unaffected: The plan focuses on new adult enrolments; previously issued Aadhaar numbers remain valid unless separately flagged by due process.
Potential Impact
- For residents: Longer processing timelines for new adult Aadhaar enrolments; applicants should expect stricter document verification and possible in-person checks.
- For administration: Higher workload for DC offices; need for clear SOPs, audit trails, appeal mechanisms, and grievance redressal to prevent arbitrary denials.
- For welfare delivery: May reduce chances of ineligible beneficiaries entering social schemes through forged identities, but care is needed to avoid excluding genuine residents.
- For legal and rights frameworks: The measure should align with UIDAI regulations, Supreme Court rulings on Aadhaar use, data protection norms, and principles of natural justice.
Key Issues To Watch
- Final cabinet decision: Exact contours who needs DC approval, documentation lists, exemptions, and timelines.
- Appeals and redressal: Processes for rejected applicants, including time-bound review and oversight.
- Data security and due process: Safeguards to protect personal data, prevent profiling, and ensure reasoned orders.
- Coordination with UIDAI: Integration with UIDAI’s enrolment ecosystem, exception-handling, and de-duplication protocols.
What Applicants Should Do
- Keep documents ready: Valid proof of residence, age, and identity; ensure consistency across documents.
- Track official notifications: Wait for the final SOPs/GRs before applying; use official portals/helplines.
- Use authorised centres: Only approach recognised enrolment centres; avoid intermediaries promising shortcuts.
- Prepare for verification: Be available for field checks if required; maintain copies of all submissions.
