Allow people to check SIMs linked to their Aadhaar: UIDAI tells telcos

The UIDAI has directed all telecom operators to provide a facility that will enable their subscribers to check the mobile SIMs linked with their Aadhaar number, a step to guard against any unauthorised use.

The decision was taken after the UIDAI came to know about some retailers, operators and agents of telecom companies allegedly misusing Aadhaar authentication facility to issue new SIMs or for re-verification of numbers other than that of the Aadhaar holder.

Warning telecom operators to ensure that their retailer and agents do not indulge in any fraudulent activities, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has directed telcos to make the new facility available to subscribers by March 15.

The telcos have been asked to provide facilities, including SMSbased offering that will allow their subscribers to check whether their mobile number is linked with Aadhaar as well as information on other mobile numbers is issued or verified against that Aadhaar number.

When contacted, UIDAI chief executive Ajay Bhushan Pandey told news agency PTI, “In order, for people, to know which mobile number is linked to Aadhaar, all telecom operators have been asked to provide this service to their customers by March 15.”

With over 1.2 billion residents already enrolled for the Aadhaar — details — the programme is the world’s largest biometric database.

NEWDELHI: THE TELCOS HAVE BEEN ASKED TO PROVIDE FACILITIES THAT WILL ALLOW SUBSCRIBERS TO CHECK IF THEIR MOBILE NUMBER IS LINKED

WITH AADHAAR