Facing flak, UIDAI decides not to issue Identity cards

Nandan Nilekani-led Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has decided not to issue unique identity (UID) or Aadhaar cards.

Nandan Nilekani-led Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has decided not to issue unique identity (UID) or Aadhaar cards.

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Hindustan Times had earlier reported that the UIDAI had decided to issue an Aadhaar card to every resident of India even though the census commissioner was supposed to issue the identity cards based on Aadhaar numbers.

The home ministry has objected to the UIDAI's plan to issue the identity cards, saying the mandate of the UIDAI was only to generate Aadhaar numbers, not issue identity cards.

The UIDAI last month had issued a request for proposal (RFP) for issuing Aadhaar cards to all residents of India, evoking a strong reaction from the planning commission.

In the wake of protests, the UIDAI has now decided to cancel the RFP. An order of the authority's website did not give any reason for the decision.

UIDAI chairperson Nandan Nilekani had earlier told Hindustan Times that no final decision had been taken on issuing Aadhar cards.