Enrolment for Aadhar cards is very high in Andhra Pradesh and so far 1.80 crore persons have applied for the 12-digit unique number of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Deputy Director General of the authority V.S. Bhaskar said here on Tuesday.
Enrolment for Aadhar cards began in Andhra Pradesh, at Kothapalem in Renigunta mandal of Chittoor district and 40,000 lakhs of them have been issued so far. The programme started in seven districts in the first phase and the second phase commenced in the remaining districts.
There are around 4,000 enrolment centres in the State and the number would be increased soon.
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The work was going on well in AP and it would be a success, Mr. Bhaskar said at a press conference after visiting some mandals in Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam districts to inspect the process. Assistant Director General of UIDAI M. Srinivas was also present.
Applying for Aadhar might not be mandatory but it was the best identity for a person since the number could not be duplicated, and the beneficiaries of the Government schemes would receive the benefit directly into their bank account. This would also help the Government to reach the excluded segments of the society, Mr. Bhaskar said.
Answering a question the official said that anyone could apply for Aadhar. The data required is name, sex, proof of date of birth if available and address.
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The biometric information of a photograph, all 10 finger prints and iris of each individual will be registered at the enrolment centre.
The registration is done free of charge and BPL card holders will be paid Rs. 100 each towards transport charges.
The Registrar engaged to enrol people is paid Rs. 50 for each enrolment. Details of Aadhar are available on the UIDAI website >www.uidai.org.gov.in.
When pointed out that people were of the impression that the Aadhar cards were at present meant for only white ration card holders, District Revenue Officer K. Prabhakara Rao and the urban and rural District Supply Officers Jwala Prakash and Ranga Kumari respectively said that initially Aadhar cards were issued to the white ration cards holders on priority since ration card was linked with Aadhar.
Issue of Aadhar was almost completed and arrangements for enrolment for all people would be announced in two weeks.