Guwahati, Sept 18: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Wednesday that the Centre has unlocked the biometrics of over 9 lakh people affected by the NRC process, a significant move to address the bureaucratic delays related to Aadhaar card registrations. This development is a crucial step toward resolving the complications many faced due to issues with Aadhaar card issuance during the NRC process.
Sarma disclosed that the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has begun issuing Aadhaar cards to these individuals. A pilot project will see UIDAI sending 12,000 to 13,000 Aadhaar cards to Tinsukia on September 23 to ensure the process runs smoothly before expanding further.
To date, UIDAI has generated 5 lakh Aadhaar cards for the 9.35 lakh NRC-related cases where biometrics had been previously blocked. Sarma expressed appreciation for Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s role in facilitating this progress and acknowledged the joint efforts that led to this achievement.
Sarma clarified that NRC inclusion was not directly linked to Aadhaar registration issues. Biometrics collected at Aadhaar centers, which also served as NRC centers, led to complications and the locking of biometrics, impeding Aadhaar card issuance.
Additionally, Sarma addressed issues with new Aadhaar applications in Assam, stating that applicants need to provide their NRC application receipt number, especially in areas with a high volume of applications exceeding population estimates.
