Govt, bank staff to biometrically sign off Aadhaar enrolment

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) would soon evolve a process for authorised employees of banks, post offices and the government to biometrically sign off Aadhaar enrolment and collection of updation form, as the process of applying for the 12-digit identifier moves into such premises.

The move is aimed at addressing the security concerns around collection of biometric and other information, Ajay Bhushan Pandey, CEO of the Aadhaar-issuing body, UIDAI, said.

The UIDAI had earlier asked states to ensure that enrolments, even those by private agencies, be shifted to government or municipal premises from external private operator run sites.

It has directed private as well as public sector banks to set up Aadhaar enrolment facility in at least one out of 10 branches.

“The enrolment and updates will happen largely in banks, post office and government premises. There also the authorised employee will have to biometrically sign the enrolment or updation application,” Pandey said.

A process for this additional layer of security and supervision is being evolved and the proposed mechanism is likely to be in place by January, he added.

“Earlier the private operator — even though he was a certified operator — used to sign it, now it will have to be counter signed through biometrics by a government, bank or post office employee,” Pandey added.