The Unique Identification Authority of India, which issues Aadhaar, has asked states to ensure that all enrolments, including those carried out by private agencies, shift to government or municipal premises by August 31, PTI reported on Sunday. In this regard, UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey has written to state governments, asking them to identify centres within government premises for enrolment and updation activities by July 31.
The agency said the process of shifting enrolment operations to such centres should be completed by August 31. Enrolment centres will have to shift from private locations into government premises such as district collectorates, zila parishad offices or municipal offices.
They could also be located at banks, block offices, taluk offices or other delivery offices run by state governments, Pandey said. Alternatively, states can engage the enrolment agencies listed by the UIDAI after reviewing their credentials.
UIDAI believes that shifting the centres will ensure direct supervision of the process. Pandey said it would also result in greater convenience for residents.
“There are times when people find it difficult to locate enrolment centres, and many times they complain to us. Or they may go to a centre and find it closed. At times, there are complaints of overcharging,” he said, adding that tighter control over private agencies will ensure that services are performed strictly as per prescribed norms.
The latest move is significant since the government has said that an individual’s PAN must be linked to Aadhaar, and the ID is also necessary to file tax returns and open new bank accounts.
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