Aadhaar not made mandatory for registration of death: Govt

NEWDELHI: Registration of deaths will require Aadhaar number from October 1 according to a notification issued by the Registrar General India (RGI) on Friday, seen as a bid to prevent “identity fraud”, even as fears of privacy being compromised are yet to be put to rest.

The government, however, clarified it has not made quoting Aadhaar “mandatory” for registration of death. If an applicant is not aware of the Aadhaar number or Enrolment ID of the deceased, he or she will be required to give a certificate that the deceased person did not possess Aadhaar to the best of their knowledge.

In a statement, the home ministry said: “Any false declaration given by the applicant in this regard will be treated as an offence as per the provisions of the Aadhaar Act, 2016 and also Registration of Birth and Death Act, 1969.”

Aadhaar is a 12-digit biometric number used for identification of all individuals in the country.

Benefits meant for the poor under welfare schemes have been misappropriated in the name of the dead, raising the need for accurate identification.

The statement said Aadhaar for death certificate will help establish the identity of deceased and ensure accuracy of details provided by relatives or dependents and obviate the need for producing multiple documents.

The RGI, which functions under the home ministry, has directed departments in states and Union territories, responsible for registration of births and deaths, to ensure compliance by concerned authorities, and sought its confirmation by September 1. The provision will be implemented in all states except Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and Meghalaya, where dates will be notified separately.