Most Adults In Assam Wont Get Aadhaar Now, Announces CM Sarma Citing Bangladeshi Migrants Crisis

The Assam Cabinet on Thursday announced that Aadhaar cards will no longer be issued to adults in the state, except members belonging to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, and tea garden communities, who will be granted an additional one-year window.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision following the cabinet meeting in the afternoon. He said that this decision has been taken in light of the state achieving Aadhaar saturation and as a “safeguard" against illegal immigrants accessing the document.

Sarma said that Assam has 103% Aadhaar saturation, but that this is at 96% among the SC, ST and tea garden communities.