People from Assam, particularly students, facing hassles outside the State for not having Aadhar cards; State cabinet to take a call soon
BY OUR STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI, May 10: The All Assam Students Union (AASU) has made it clear that Aadhar should be introduced in the State only after completion of the NRC update exercise.
In the Cabinet meeting held on Monday last, problems faced by the people of Assam, especially students, outside the State due to non-availability of Aadhar cards were discussed. The State Cabinet also decided to constitute a high-powered committee to look after Aadhar implementation in the State.
It may be mentioned that work towards the implementation of Aadhar as pilot project was started in gaon, Sonitpur and Golaghat districts, and 17 lakh people were included in the project. But the project came to a halt due to AASU’s objection with the students body demanding that Aadhar should be introduced only after the NRC exercise is over.
Official sources said Aadhar has been made mandatory by the present BJP government at the Centre for citizens of the country to avail benefits of various schemes and programmes. “Due to non-possession of Aadhar cards, people of Assam have started facing many problems. On several occasions, the Assam government had to request the Centre to exempt the State from Aadhar. But the present government at Dispur will now take a decisive step to introduce Aadhar,” added official sources.
The AASU too has realized that students from Assam going outside the State are facing problems in securing admission and other reasons because they do not have Aadhar cards. However, the students’ body apprehends that many doubtful citizens living in the State will get hold of Aadhar cards, if the same is given without updating the NRC.
When contacted, AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya said, “Our stand is very clear on the issue. Complete the NRC update first and thereafter introduce Aadhar. We will now keep a close eye on how the entire process of introducing Aadhar in the State progresses.”