The Assam administration is expected to introduce a cabinet proposal to provide Aadhaar cards to people whose biometrics are still locked despite their names being cleared for the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
While the Supreme Court has asked the Centre, the Assam government, the Registrar General of India (RGI), and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for responses by May 17, sources say the state government has held talks with various groups and is expected to present a cabinet proposal allowing Aadhaar issuance.
Moreover, while hearing a PIL filed by Trinamool Congress leader Sushmita Dev, a three-judge panel of Justices UU Lalit, S Ravindra Bhat, and PS Narasimha issued a notice to the government agencies.
More than 50 lakhs people receive Ration who don’t have Aadhaar Cards
Meanwhile, around 50 lakh people have received rations through the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana and state-level equivalents.
“We are already giving rations to those who don’t have Aadhaar cards. It is beneficial for us if we have records of those getting the ration. If they have an Aadhaar card, which is linked to our system, distribution of ration will become more transparent and effective,” a government source said.
Assam has also taken into account the federal government’s decision to extend the deadline for linking Aadhaar to PAN cards till March 2023.
According to the CBDT decision, if a person fails to link their Aadhaar and PAN by June 30, they would be fined Rs 500, with the fee increasing to Rs 1,000 after that.
“The issuance of Aadhaar to those whose biometrics are blocked will resolve this issue as well. And issuance of Aadhaar will not mean that they are being guaranteed as citizens. It isn’t an NRC certificate,” the source added.
Further, legal ramifications are being explored, according to high-ranking government sources, and the cabinet will present the idea soon.
In her plea, TMC’s Dev claims that almost 21 lakh Assamese individuals have not gotten Aadhaar-linked benefits after their biometrics were registered for the NRC.
Also Read: 24 MYANMAR NATIONALS CAUGHT WITH FAKE AADHAAR CARDS IN MANIPUR
