Dispur for transparency & faster Aadhaar enrollment process

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: In a bid to bring about transparency and also streamline the Aadhaar-registration process, the State government has issued two specific orders to the DCs (Deputy Commissioners).

The DCs have been directed to increase the Aadhaar enrollment centres so that COVID-19 protocol can be easily maintained by the citizens while waiting to be registered at such centres. The State government has also allowed the DCs to enroll more firms for the processes if required.

The other order directs the DCs to file FIRs (First Information Reports) against any person found collecting money to register Aadhaar of any citizen.

This 12-digit Aadhaar number is issued free of cost by the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India). This number serves as a proof of identity and address, anywhere in India. The General Administration Department (GAD) is the State Registrar for the Aadhaar-enrollment process in Assam. A government-designated employee verifies the documents at each such centre.

Talking to The Sentinel, Commissioner & Secretary, GAD, M.S. Manivannan said, "The step to increase the number of Aadhaar enrollment centres will ensure that the masses do not have to stand in long queues in front of such centres. The other step of stringent action will stop the alleged practice of some people taking money in the name of registering a person's name for Aadhaar."

Since the last part of August, these centres have been witnessing long queues as the Aadhaar Card is now mandatory to get various benefits under different schemes of the Central government.

GAD sources said that though there are 1,248 Aadhaar-enrollment centres across the State, a few of them are non-functional due to technical reasons. Presently six private firms are operating the Aadhaar process in Assam.

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