Assam will stop issuing Aadhaar cards to adults, except those from Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC) and tea garden workers, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Thursday.
The decision, taken at a state cabinet meeting, will remain in force for one year. Sarma said the move was aimed at preventing illegal immigrants, particularly Bangladeshi nationals, from securing Aadhaar cards in the state.
“We have continuously pushed back Bangladeshi nationals along the border. We want to ensure that no one (illegal foreigner) can obtain an Aadhaar card from Assam by entering the state and claiming to be an Indian citizen. We have completely closed that way,” Sarma told reporters.
He said a one-month window will be offered in September for residents above 18 years of age, belonging to other communities, who are yet to obtain an Aadhaar card. “We will allow them to apply within September,” the chief minister said.
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Beyond September, enrolment for Aadhaar will be subject to stringent checks.
“In rare and rarest cases, the District Commissioner will be the authority to issue an Aadhaar card after completion of the window period, and the DC will have to check SB report, Foreigners Tribunal report before issuing an Aadhaar card,” Sarma added.
The chief minister maintained that Aadhaar enrolment in Assam had largely reached saturation, except for certain communities.
He said the new restrictions were necessary to safeguard the state against illegal immigration while ensuring Aadhaar access for ST, SC and tea garden workers.
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