Assam CM Sarma sets new condition for Aadhaar card applicants

Digital Desk: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday announced a significant policy change for new Aadhaar card applicants in the state. Starting immediately, individuals applying for Aadhaar will be required to submit their National Register of Citizens (NRC) application receipt number. This move, Sarma explained, is aimed at addressing concerns about illegal immigration and ensuring the authenticity of applicants.

Sarma highlighted that the number of Aadhaar applications in Assam has exceeded the state's population, raising suspicions about potential illegal entries. “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 (ARN),” he said, as reported by PTI. He emphasized that the state government will be "very strict" about issuing Aadhaar cards, making the process more stringent.

Notably, this new requirement will not apply to the 9.55 lakh individuals whose biometrics were previously locked during the NRC process. These individuals will still receive their Aadhaar cards without the need to submit their NRC receipt numbers.

The Chief Minister also announced plans to intensify efforts to identify and address illegal foreign nationals, citing recent apprehensions of Bangladeshis who were subsequently deported. Sarma’s government aims to curb illegal immigration and ensure that Assam's demographic integrity is maintained.

Earlier, Sarma has expressed concerns about ‘demographic changes’ in Assam, particularly regarding the increasing Muslim population. On August 28, he pledged to release a white paper on this issue to provide a comprehensive analysis. Additionally, he has voiced strong opposition to any perceived demographic shifts, asserting that he will prevent any attempts to alter the state’s demographic balance.

The new Aadhaar policy reflects the Assam government's commitment to addressing complex issues related to citizenship and immigration while aiming to maintain the state's demographic stability.