UIDAI decides against Aadhaar cards

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

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

HT Image

Hindustan Times has first reported that UIDAI has decided to issue an Aadhaar card to every resident of India even though the Census commissioner was supposed to issue identity card based on Aadhaar number.

The Home Ministry has objected to UIDAI issuing identity cards saying the mandate of UIDAI was only to generate Aadhaar numbers and not issue identity cards.

The UIDAI in this October issued request for proposal (RFP) for issuing Aadhaar cards all residents of India, evoking a strong reaction from planning commission.

In wake of the protests, the UIDAI has now decided to cancel the RFP. An order of the authority’s website did not give reason for the decision. UIDAI chairperson Nandan Nilekani had earlier told HT that no final decision on issuing Aadhaar cards was taken.