MERE PAAS AADHAAR HAI!

With more services enabled by Aadhaar, Indian’s digital ID has become a must-have for common man

The Supreme Court in a September 2016 ruling did not dilute its earlier opinion that the unique identification number, Aadhaar, cannot be made mandatory. But state and central governments press on regardless, making it obligatory for an ever increasing list of services. Last week,

Governance Now magazine listed 19 services from train concessions for senior citizens, to MGNREGA benefits, to LPG subsidies, where Aadhaar is required. For those of us not compelled to acquire an Aadhaar ID, under such duress, it makes sense to apply for one, as it is helping simplify life in multiple ways.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), has put out a timely clarification that Aadhaar is a number, not a piece of plastic, to be carried around.

“There is absolutely no need to get your Aadhaar card laminated or obtain a plastic Aadhaar card or the SMART Aadhaar card by paying,” says Dr Ajay Bhushan Pandey, CEO of UIDAI.

In case someone loses their Aadhaar card, they can download it free of cost from https: / /eaadhaar. uidai. gov. in

The printout of the downloaded Aadhaar card, even in black and white form, is as valid as the original Aadhaar card sent by UIDAI.