No More Private Players. Post Offices & Banks to Soon Offer Aadhaar Services

As more public services are getting attuned to Aadhaar-based system, there is a greater necessity for more centres that can facilitate those who are yet to enrol for Aadhaar, especially in far-flung regions.

While private contractors had been undertaking the biometric data collection from the enrollers up till now, multiple reports of Aadhaar fraud and leakage of UID data surfacing has prompted the government to shift the entire data collection process to public service agencies like post offices and public sector banks.

According to Times of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the nod to set up Aadhaar centres in post offices, and a budget of ₹2,000 crore has been allocated for the process.

These centres will be equipped with machines approved by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and employ agency-trained personnel to carry forth the procedures seamlessly.

By the end of March next year, close to 15,000 post offices will offer Aadhaar enrolment and updation facilities, along with various bank branches in the country that will have similar centres by October 31.

At present, around 2,000 bank branches have such centres, which the government intends to increase to 15,200 branches.

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To expand its reach to remote areas where the only scope of presence is through government services, the centre believes that post offices and banks are best suited to serve the purpose.

The allocation of ₹2,000 crore is intended to counter various Aadhaar and UID-related frauds, owing to the complaints and grievances raised by Supreme Court and activists, as well as to ensure better access to Aadhaar enrolment and updation.

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