Guwahati: The Assam government has announced restrictions on Aadhaar enrolment for adults.
Announcing the decision after a Cabinet meeting on Saturday, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Aadhaar cards will no longer be issued through the regular process to individuals above 18 years of age.
The move is meant to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining identity documents through the enrolment process.
The state government has, however, allowed members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and tea garden community to continue
obtaining Aadhaar cards until March 2027.
“The Assam cabinet has decided not to provide Aadhar cards to any person above 18 years… ST, SC, Tea Garden people will get an Aadhar card till March 2027,” Biswa Sarma said.
In exceptional cases, the district commissioner will have to send a proposal to the state government seeking permission for issuing the card, Biswa Sarma told reporters.
The CM asserted that Aadhaar card issuance has reached a saturation point in the state.
“In some districts, it has crossed the 100 per cent mark, and we must ascertain who these people are who are taking the additional Aadhaar cards. The step is being taken to ensure that no illegal Bangladeshi nationals get Aadhaar cards,” Biswa Sarma explained.
On why an exception has been made for SC, ST and tea garden community members, Biswa Sarma clarified that many of them are yet to receive the cards.
“The ban will, however, be complete from April 1, 2027, and people from these communities above the age of 18 will also stop receiving it from that date,” the chief minister said.
Aadhaar cards will continue to be issued through the regular process for children below the age of 18.