Amid the ongoing crackdown on illegal immigrants securing Aadhaar cards, the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Secretariat on Friday wrote to Delhi Chief Secretary C S Dharmendra asking to enforce strict regulations for issuing the ID proof, said an official.
Dharmendra has been asked to provide a comprehensive list of all Aadhaar enrollment centres in Delhi by July 15. The registrars — the entities authorised by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for Aadhaar enrolment — were also directed to switch to the in-house model of enrollment within two months. The model stipulates Aadhaar enrolment or updation directly under the supervision of the registrar rather than third-party vendors.
The chief secretary has been directed to conduct a monthly audit exercise under the supervision of the divisional commissioner to ensure that there are no loopholes.
“It has been brought to the attention of L-G that during the course of security review meetings in several instances illegal immigrants have managed to secure the Aadhaar card on the basis of false documentation or misrepresentation,” read the letter from the LG secretariat.
The letter stated that illegal procuring of Aadhaar cards enabled individuals to secure documents establishing their nationality i.e. passport and voter ID cards.
“They also end up availing benefits under welfare schemes administered by the Central and State Governments. Having secured Aadhaar documents, the illegal immigrants secure jobs, depressing local labour markets adversely impacting local employment. This also has wider ramifications for National Security,” read the letter.
The L-G Secretariat stated that the current situation demanded a fresh look at the responsibilities assigned to registrars under the Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) Regulations, 2016, in Delhi, particularly concerning field-level implementation, monitoring, and verification procedures.
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The L-G office also highlighted that in 2022, the state governments were asked to shift registrars or enrollment agencies working under an outsourced model to an in-house model. But in Delhi, the system is yet to be put in place.
“The L-G has expressed concern that this system has not been put in place to date. Further, it has also been brought to the attention of L-G that the operational mechanisms under various Registrars under GNCTD are not adequately standardised,” reads the letter.
Some registrars are engaging enrollment agencies, while some have floated tenders for purchasing machines, leading to differences in approach by various departments, it stated.
Officials said that L-G Vinai Kumar Saxena has directed that clear instructions be issued to all registrars to strictly comply with the provisions of the Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) Regulations, 2016, and switch to an in-house model of Aadhaar enrolment within two months.
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A comprehensive detail of all the enrolment centres set up by the state government, including municipal bodies, may be put up alongwith the current mode of functioning, latest by July 15.
Further, the L-G secretariat said Aadhaar enrolment is an extremely sensitive exercise and hence it is important to fix the responsibility of the person who is gathering data before issuing Aadhaar so that accountability can be fixed in case of lapses.
UIDAI has issued detailed instructions for documents required for Aadhaar enrollment of different age groups (viz. 0-5 years, above 5 years, and above 18 years). The registration should sensitise operators to collect documents for Aadhaar enrollment and updation strictly as per guidelines issued by UIDAI, it said.
The L-G Secretariat issued directions for strict action against any callousness by staff to facilitate Aadhaar enrollment or updation of illegal immigrants.
