New Delhi: 8,805 eunuchs living across the country have been issued ‘Aadhaar’ numbers last year by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
Only 96 Aadhaar numbers were issued to eunuchs in 2010. The figure rose to 12,554 in 2011 and a total of 8,805 such numbers were issued last year, the UIDAI said in reply to an RTI query. Whereas, over ten crore such numbers were issued to individuals between January and October 9 last year by the authority, it said. The UIDAI has launched the Aadhaar scheme in 2010 with a mandate to issue every citizen a 12-digit unique identification number linked to the resident’s demographic and biometric information. People can use their Aadhaar numbers to identify themselves anywhere in the country as well as to access a host of benefits and services. About 7.71 lakh Aadhaar numbers were issued in 2010, 10.21 crore in 2011 and 10.19 crore in 2012 (till Oct 9), the reply said.
The UIDAI was also facing a manpower crunch as nearly 40 per cent posts of its total sanctioned strength of 383 were lying vacant. “The total sanctioned strength of UIDAI is 383. Out of 383, 230 officers or staff are in place. Appointment for remaining vacancies is in progress,” the authority said. (PTI)