Assam Government Plans to Grant Deputy Commissioners Authority to Issue Aadhaar Cards

The Assam government is likely to grant district deputy commissioners the authority to issue Aadhaar cards to adult applicants, as Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma aims to tighten the verification process and ensure better scrutiny of identity credentials. The plan was informally discussed during a cabinet meeting, with similar considerations for issuing birth certificates to people who apply after several years. Sarma stated that only deputy commissioners would have the authority to authorize approval of fresh Aadhaar applications from adults to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining Aadhaar cards. The new measure is meant to ensure that only genuine citizens who are yet to get Aadhaar cards will receive approval. Sarma emphasized that the Aadhaar card is crucial for essential services, and the new measure would prevent illegal immigrants from residing in the state with fake documents. The decision regarding the new measures will be taken in the next cabinet meeting.