Assam restricts Aadhaar card issuance for individuals above 18 years: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma
Guwahati, June 13
The Assam Cabinet decided to restrict issuance of Aadhaar cards for individuals above 18 years of age, while allowing issuance for ST, SC and Tea Garden communities till March 2027, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday.
In a State Cabinet breifing here, the Assam CM said, "The Assam cabinet has decided not to provide Aadhar cards to any person above 18 years... ST, SC, Tea Garden people will get an Aadhar card till March 2027."
The Chief Minister further informed about a major urban development initiative.
CM Sarma said, "The Assam cabinet has also approved a Guwahati Satellite City under the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) area."
Meanwhile, on Friday, CM Sarma advocated for a new development framework centred on "Geographic Equity" during NITI Aayog's interaction with Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries of the North Eastern states in the national capital.
He said, "India's journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047 must focus not only on expanding economic growth but also on ensuring that growth reaches every region of the country."
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that "while the first phase of India's transformation was dedicated to accelerating growth, the next phase should concentrate on broadening the geography of growth so that all regions can participate fully in the opportunities created by development."
Sarma noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the North East has moved from the margins of national discourse to the centre of policymaking. He highlighted major improvements in connectivity, infrastructure development, peace initiatives and the implementation of the Act East Policy, which have significantly enhanced the strategic importance of the region.
According to the Chief Minister, these efforts have created a strong foundation for economic expansion and greater integration of the North East with the rest of the country.
Referring to Assam's recent progress, Sarma said the "state is witnessing rising investor confidence and increasing investments across multiple sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, renewable energy and technology."
— ANI
Reader Comments
This seems discriminatory. Aadhaar is supposed to be a universal ID for all citizens. Restricting it based on age and community undermines its purpose. India's digital infrastructure should be inclusive, not selective. I hope this gets challenged in court.
Finally, some action on the NRC issue! Without proper Aadhaar verification, how can we track illegal immigrants? This is a necessary step for national security. But they should also focus on giving identity cards to genuine citizens quickly. 🇮🇳
I understand the logic, but this will create huge problems for genuine residents above 18 who need Aadhaar for bank accounts, mobile SIMs, and government schemes. The CM should clarify how existing residents can get their cards without hassle. Paperwork in Assam is already a nightmare! 😤
Good to see the Guwahati Satellite City plan! Assam needs better urban planning. But linking it with Aadhaar restrictions makes me wonder - is this really about development or just another tool to control demographics? Hope the Supreme Court keeps an eye on this.
As someone who works in digital identity, this is concerning. Aadhaar is essentially a foundational ID in India. Restricting it creates a second-class citizenship scenario. Instead of blanket restrictions, they should use better verification methods for all applicants. Privacy and security don't have to be mutually exclusive.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.