To tackle population discrepancies and potential illegal immigration, the Assam government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has announced a tightening of the Aadhaar card issuance process. The decision comes on the heels of alarming reports indicating that several districts in the state have received more Aadhaar applications than their projected population.
Districts Reporting Excessive Aadhaar Applications
Four districts in Assam have raised red flags by reporting Aadhaar application rates that exceed their total projected population. Barpeta tops the list with an astonishing 103.74%, closely followed by Dhubri at 103%. Morigaon and Nagaon are not far behind, both standing at 101%. These figures have set off alarm bells within the government, prompting swift action to address the issue.
Chief Minister Sarma minced no words when he stated, “Applications for Aadhaar cards are more than the population. It indicates that there are doubtful citizens, and we have decided that new applicants will have to submit their NRC application receipt number.”
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Stringent Requirements for New Aadhaar Applicants
To tackle this pressing concern, the Assam government is rolling out a set of stringent rules for Aadhaar card issuance. New applicants will now be required to submit their National Register of Citizens (NRC) application receipt number (ARN) as part of the application process. Additionally, district commissioners will be tasked with issuing no-objection certificates only after a thorough examination of each case. The primary objective of this process is to verify that applicants were indeed present in the state before 2014, which is the cut-off year for the NRC.
These measures are expected to be formally notified within the next 10 days. However, there are a few exceptions to the rule. Tea garden areas will be exempt from these stricter regulations, and the 9.55 lakh individuals whose biometrics were locked during the NRC process will be able to obtain Aadhaar cards without any additional conditions. For other districts, the new rules will come into effect from October 1, 2024, specifically for adult applicants.
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Government’s Stance and Criticisms Faced
Chief Minister Sarma has emphasised that this move is part of a larger initiative to manage immigration and ensure accurate documentation. He stated, “It will not be easy to get Aadhaar in Assam. We will toughen the process of issuing new Aadhaar cards.”
However, the government’s stance has not been without criticism. Some argue that these measures may disproportionately affect certain communities, particularly those in Muslim-majority districts. The chief minister has faced accusations of targeting specific populations under the guise of NRC implementation.
Ramping Up Efforts to Identify Illegal Immigrants
In addition to the stricter Aadhaar issuance process, the Assam government plans to intensify efforts to identify illegal immigrants. Sarma revealed that several individuals from Bangladesh were recently apprehended and handed over to authorities. “We will intensify the process of identification of illegal foreigners as several Bangladeshis were apprehended in the last two months,” he stated.
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The Road Ahead for Aadhaar Issuance in Assam
The new policy is set to have a significant impact on Aadhaar issuance in Assam. Applicants who did not apply for NRC in 2014 will not be eligible for Aadhaar cards, and the Union government has granted the Assam government discretionary power by requiring a no-objection certificate from the District Collector.
Sarma warned, “From October 1, the availability of Aadhaar cards in Assam will be a difficult test. We will issue a tough SOP in the next 10-15 days.”
