Assam CM on August 21, stated that Assam will stop issuing Aadhaar Card to the citizen above 18 years from October, those who have applied for Aadhaar Card yet, may apply within September. The decision was take to prevent illegal immigrants from getting Indian documents.
He also stated that one month i.e September month has given to the citizen who have not applied yet for Aadhaar Card. After that, only district commissioners can approve new cards in rare cases, and even then, only after strict checks including Special Branch and Foreigners Tribunal reports.
Only Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes people above 18 years can still get Aadhaar cards freely for another year.
CM stated, “No Citizen above 18 years age will be issued Aadhaar Card in Assam. Those who have not enrolled for Aadhaar Card yet may apply during the month September. We will keep a one month window open for this purpose. For SC, ST and Tea Garden communities, this window will remain open 1 year. After the deadline, if someone applies in the rarest of rare cases, the SDC or Circle Officer will not be able to issue it. Only the DC will have that authority. Before issuing Aadhaar, the DC must obtain the SB report and Foreigners Tribunal report.”
He also added, “Currently, our Aadhaar saturation stands at 103%. This means in citizen above 18 years of age is left without Aadhaar, except SC, ST and Tea Garden communities. Every one has received Aadhaar. Just as we have apprehended illegal settlers without expecting 100% success, in this case too, so that no one can claim citizenship though Aadhaar, this decision will serve as a strong deterrent.”
