Concern over low Aadhaar coverage

SHILLONG: The Assembly Committee on Women Empowerment has expressed concern over the low coverage of Aadhaar in the state in the wake of the Centre linking several schemes with Aadhaar.
Speaking to newsmen after a meeting with the General Administration Department, Chairperson of the Committee Ampareen Lyngdoh said that linking of several schemes is going to require a large number of people to go for Aadhaar enrolment.
Lamenting that the entire state has only 32 per cent Aadhaar coverage, Lyngdoh said that the Committee has observed that now large number of people are coming forward to register themselves.
The Committee was also informed that the state as of now has 304 Aadhaar registration kits and 537 more will be provided.
Stressing on the need to ensure interrupted internet supply to ensure a hassle-free registration, Lyngdoh urged the department to ensure that more and more people are enrolled with Aadhaar.
Pointing out that the state would require large number of operators to operate the kits, she added that the operators can be appointed only on the passing of NSEIT examination and there is only one centre in Guwahati.
The committee urged the state government to open a training centre in the state so as to ease problems faced by applicants.
It was also informed that there is no designated fund to pay the salary of the operators and department has been asked to look into the matter.
The Committee was also briefed that there is not much resistance to the idea of enrolling people with Aadhaar in the state.