The Assam government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has introduced a stringent policy linking Aadhaar card issuance to the National Register of Citizens (NRC). During a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the government decided that Aadhaar applications will be rejected if the applicant or their family has not applied for NRC. This move aims to curb infiltration from neighboring Bangladesh, Sarma said in a press conference.

Addressing Infiltration Concerns

Highlighting recent incidents, Sarma stated that Assam Police, Tripura Police, and the Border Security Force (BSF) had intercepted several infiltration attempts by Bangladeshi nationals in the past two months.

"Infiltration from Bangladesh is a significant concern for us. Strengthening our Aadhaar mechanism is a step toward securing our system," Sarma said.

Verification Process for Aadhaar

Under the new directive, the General Administration Department will oversee Aadhaar applicant verification. Each district will have an Additional District Commissioner as the nodal officer responsible for the process.

After an Aadhaar application is submitted, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will forward it to the state government for verification.

A Circle Officer (CO) will confirm whether the applicant or their family members applied for NRC.

If no NRC application is found, the Aadhaar application will be immediately rejected, and a report will be sent to the central government.

If an NRC application exists, a field-level verification will follow, ensuring compliance with Supreme Court directives.

Central government employees stationed outside Assam are exempt from these requirements.

Impact on Aadhaar Applications

The decision comes amid reports of Aadhaar applications exceeding population figures in certain districts. Sarma noted discrepancies in districts like Dhubri, Barpeta, Morigaon, and Nagaon, where Aadhaar applications ranged between 101% and 103% of the population. "To address such irregularities, applicants must now provide their NRC application receipt number when applying for Aadhaar," Sarma emphasized.

Revised Standard Operating Procedure

The new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) mandates that the state government verify submitted documents and respond to UIDAI within 45 days. The last NRC list, published on August 31, 2019, excluded 19,06,657 individuals out of 3,30,27,661 applicants, including 3,11,21,004 names.

Additional Cabinet Decisions

The cabinet also announced other measures: Reintroduction of Manual Land Revenue System: Farmers and small landholders who faced challenges with online payments can now opt for manual transactions. Mission Basundhara 3.0 Scheme: Renewal fees under the Societies Registration Act have been waived, facilitating land allotment applications for religious and social institutions like Namghars (Vaishnavite worship centers). Easing Land Ownership Rules: Rules were simplified to grant land rights to indigenous communities and social organizations.

Tackling Infiltration

In a related move, the government has intensified measures to prevent unauthorized entries. Sarma cited recent arrests of Bangladeshi nationals at Badarpur railway station, underscoring the state’s commitment to safeguarding its borders. The Assam government’s decision reflects its focus on enhancing administrative rigor and addressing security concerns tied to demographic and cross-border issues.