From Our Special Correspondent
New Delhi: The ongoing tussle regarding implementation of unique identification or Aadhar cards scheme in Meghalaya is likely to continue with the Centre making it clear that this continues to be accepted as an “officially valid document” for banking and other transactions as well as address proof.
The Minister of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena said this in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday while responding to a question tabled by Meghalaya’s lone representative in the Upper House Wansuk Syiem.
Syiem wanted to know if the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has declared that the Aadhaar cards can be used by banks as valid KYC proof.
“Government of India has recognised the letter issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) containing details of name, address and Aadhaar Number as an “officially valid document” to satisfy the “Know Your Customer” (KYC) norm,” the Minister said in his reply. The RBI has also advised the banks to accept Aadhaar Letter Card as a ‘officially valid document’ for opening accounts, he said adding , banks were advised to accept Aadhaar letter issued by UIDAI as a proof of identity and address, for opening accounts, if the address provided by the account holder is the same as that on Aadhaar letter.
Incidentally, the nation-wide identification of citizens by the UIDAI by issuing a unique biometric-enabled number, called ‘Aadhaar’, was temporarily suspended in Shillong following objections from KSU and others. Meghalaya government also had to put on hold the ongoing enrolment drive for the National Population Register (NPR) after KSU forcibly stopped the drive in several parts of Shillong.