While the State government says Aadhaar is not compulsory, why are people being forced to get Aadhaar cards? MLC Ivan D’souza raised this question during the review meeting and sought clarification from the district administration. Agreeing with Mr. D’Souza that Aadhaar was not compulsory, Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim said that circulars were being issued by the government to link various welfare measures with Aadhaar numbers of beneficiaries.
“Aadhaar numbers are sought of students from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes seeking scholarship. We are also asked to link Aadhaar numbers with the ration cards,” said Mr. Ibrahim, while expressing the need for the government to make it clear.