Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: The Assam Cabinet has overhauled the process for issuing Aadhaar cards to individuals over the age of 18. Under the new policy, adults can no longer use the standard enrolment system. Instead, applicants must undergo a rigorous vetting process that requires approval from the state government to ensure they are eligible.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that district commissioners will now evaluate adult applications before forwarding them to the government for a final decision. This change follows reports of suspiciously high enrolment numbers in several districts, where the number of cards issued has surpassed the estimated local population. Officials believe these discrepancies warrant closer scrutiny.
The government aims to block illegal migrants from securing the cards as a form of identification. Sarma stated, "The decision was taken amid concerns over unusually high Aadhaar coverage in several districts of the state." By limiting access, authorities hope to prevent individuals from outside the region from exploiting the system.
These restrictions apply exclusively to adults, and enrolment for minors will continue through the standard existing process. Additionally, the state will maintain simplified access for members of the tea garden community and Scheduled Tribe populations to ensure these groups receive proper coverage. This policy shift represents a broader effort by the Assam government to strengthen regional identity verification protocols.
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