Prisoners could now get ‘Aadhaar’ card without hassle with the Centre asking states to approach local Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) officials for conducting enrolment drives in jails.
The move comes with efforts to increase the enrolment rate of UIDAI. In identical letters to secretaries in states dealing with Home department and prisons, and directors-general of jails, the Home Ministry said that it would be of “immense utility” to offer this service to them as a welfare measure when they are released from jails.
It said a number of inmates might have missed the enrolment process earlier and it would be of great help for them if such drives were conducted in jails. Tihar Jail in New Delhi has already started enrolment process and has received a “very good” response. The ministry reminded officials that the enrolment is “entirely voluntary”.
Published 17 October 2014, 20:04 IST