Assam government makes a plan to stop infiltration: What decision it took regarding Aadhar Card? What CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said?
Aadhar card is considered to be the strongest proof of identity in India. However, it does not confer citizenship status. However, Aadhaar is necessary for obtaining various documents. This has led to the creation of a large number of fake Aadhaar cards in the country.
In response to this issue, the government has implemented stricter regulations. The Assam government has introduced a policy stating that Aadhaar cards will not be issued to people over the age of 18, except for those belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The Assam government has tightened the process of making Aadhar card in the state. Infiltration has allegedly increased in the border states through Aadhar card, which has become a matter of concern for the governments. That is why the government is now going to tighten the noose on illegal immigrants, especially those who come from Bangladesh and settle in India.
Illegal migrants get documents through Aadhar card
Actually, any type of certificate can be made in India through Aadhar card. Till now, Aadhaar was considered to be a digitally strong ID proof, which almost every common man has, but in recent times, there have been cases of fraud through Aadhaar card.
Through this, illegal migrants get documents like voter card, ration card and residence certificate made and call themselves citizens of India. That is why the Assam government is considering giving permission to only District Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to issue Aadhaar cards to adults in the state to crack down on illegal immigrants and make the process of Aadhaar registration transparent.
What CM said?
Pointing out the state has achieved Aadhaar saturation of 102 percent, higher than its actual population, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the government was forced to take this decision to check the misuse of Aadhar in the state. “More Aadhaar cards have been issued than the state’s population. To prevent misuse by infiltrators, we have decided that people above 18 will not be issued fresh Aadhaar cards. Only SC, ST, and tea garden communities are exempted because Aadhaar penetration among them is 96 percent, meaning 4 percent are yet to be covered,” said Sarma.
Further informing that the decision would come into effect from October, Sarma said that citizens outside the exempted groups have only until September to apply for Aadhaar. "After that, applications will be barred," he said.
The chief minister also clarified that in “rarest of the rare cases”, Aadhaar may still be issued if approved by the Deputy Commissioner (DC). “The DC will decide only after discussion with the Foreigners’ Tribunal and the Special Branch. This will ensure strict scrutiny,” he said.
Sarma linked the decision of the cabinet directly to the state’s battle against illegal immigration.