An overview of recent news related to Aadhaar in the last week:
Government school kids will not get free books without Aadhaar
July 18, 2016: In Varanasi, government school kids in class six onwards will not get free books without Aadhaar number. More at Jagran
States will support Aadhaar seeding, Central Govt will collect data, the move towards “Smart policing”
July 16, 2016:
- The Prime Minister has asked senior officials of the Union Government to collect data from States on the extent of savings achieved because of use of Aadhaar, and that now that all post offices have now been recognized as payment banks, and this will be of great help in implementing Direct Benefit Transfer. Source: PIB
- The PM mentioned that Aadhaar seeding should be attempted to the maximum extent possible in the implementation of welfare schemes. State governments have assured that they will provide maximum support in completing Aadhaar enrollment, and in setting up DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) cells. Source: PIB
- The PM said that there is a need for better coordination and interaction between the police departments of the States and ‘Smart Policing’ should be practiced and in this, technology and focus on training of the police personnel in matters relating to cyber crimes should be important points of emphasis. The Council (of states) discussed the importance of maintaining internal security by better intelligence sharing between the States and Central agencies, emphasising the need for modernizing the police force with better equipment and training. Source: PIB
Ration related subsidy has been stopped in Betul, Madhya Pradesh
July 18, 2016: In Betul, Madhya Pradesh, food subsidy isn’t given if citizens don’t have Aadhaar. Gas subsidy may be stopped soon as well. More at Patrika.
Haryana Govt pays out Rs 445 crore less
The government of Haryana has paid out Rs 445 crore less money on subsidy, by weeding out 970,000 fake or ineligible benificiaries. More at Pioneer.
Aadhaar authentication fails for HDFC Bank customer Shailesh Gandhi
July 15, 2016: Shailesh Gandhi writes about how his thumb-print based Aadhaar authentication for his bank account failed. More at Moneylife.
Digital locker being linked with Aadhaar, being made mandatory
July 18, 2016: Inspectorate General of Registration and Stamps (IGR) will initiate the digital locker system from August, allowing citizens to store their documents online, linked with Aadhaar number. “The IGR department is gradually making it mandatory for executors of leave and licence documents to go in for e-registration at empanelled service providers by doing away with manual registration at its offices.” More at Indian Express.
Aadhaar compulsory for vehicle number e-auction in Chandigarh
July 12, 2016: In another possible violation of the Supreme Court guidelines saying that Aadhaar cannot be made mandatory, it has been made mandatory for participating in e-auction of vehicle registration numbers. A similar requirement had been withdrawn three years ago. More in The Indian Express
Citizens Forum for Civil Liberties writes to HRD Ministry
July 12, 2016: Citizens Forum for Civil Liberties (CFCL) has written to new HRD minister Prakash Javadekar, pointing out the violation of Supreme Court order by the ministry, when it made Aadhaar number mandatory for students to receive college scholarships and fellowships. More at Business Today.
Mobile connections can use e-Aadhaar for verification
July 13, 2016: The e-Aadhaar letter, a downloaded version of Aadhaar, can be used as identity proof for taking a new mobile connection, the DoT has said. The verification will have to be done by the point of sale. More at The Financial Express.
Assam seeks alternative to Aadhaar
July 16th, 2016: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has asked the center to consider an alternative to Aadhaar for providing direct benefit transfer, while the state completes its “National Register of Citizens (NRC)” updation exercise.
The state has only 1.3 million Aadhaar enrolments, out of a population of more than 3 million. More at India Today.
Tirupati makes Aadhaar mandatory for pilgrims
July 13th 2016: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has decided to make Aadhaar card mandatory for the pilgrims, who wish to participate in circumambulation (Anga Pradakshina) of the temple in Tirumala. More at The Times of India.
Odisha starts special drives for Aadhaar
July 17th 2016: Odisha has started special drives, in order to complete Aadhaar enrollment by year end. “Non-State Registrars (NSRs) like banks, post offices, the National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL), Common Service Centres (CSCs) and other institutions would be able to enrol Aadhaar numbers in the State”. There are special drives by the Electronics Corporation of India in High Schools and Primary Schools. More at Pioneer.
Pension Fund regulatory authority uneils aadhaar based authentication
July 16, 2016: Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) unveiled Aadhar-based authentication module for subscribers to update details and change scheme preferences. More at The Economic times.
Refugees can now get Aadhaar number
July 14, 2016: Minority refugees (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians) from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan can now get Aadhar Cards. More at The New Indian Express.
