Assam CM Himanata Sarma's New Move To Curb 'Illegal Immigration': 'No NRC Number, No Aadhaar'

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday that new Aadhaar card applicants in the state will now need to submit their National Register of Citizens (NRC) application receipt number, as part of efforts to curb illegal immigration.

At a press conference, Sarma expressed concerns over the number of Aadhaar applications surpassing the state's population, suggesting potential fraudulent activity.

Photo Credit: PTI

He noted that Aadhaar card holders exceeded the projected population in several districts, describing this as "worrying."

Sarma explained, "Applications for Aadhaar cards are more than the population... It indicates that there are doubtful citizens, and we have decided that new applicants will have to submit their NRC application receipt number."

He said that this move aims to prevent people who entered Assam illegally from acquiring Aadhaar cards.

"It will not be easy to get Aadhaar in Assam," Sarma said, further adding that the state will tighten the process for issuing new cards.

Dhubri district, in particular, was highlighted as an area of concern due to the irregularities in Aadhaar issuance.

"Aadhaar cards more than the population in Dhubri district were issued. Maybe some suspected people got Aadhaar cards," Sarma remarked.

The Chief Minister stated that a formal notification will be issued within the next 10 days and added, "If you don't apply for NRC, you will not get an Aadhaar card in the new process."

However, tea garden areas will be exempt from this regulation, while stricter rules for adult applicants will begin on October 1 in other districts.

Sarma clarified that the requirement to submit an NRC application receipt will not apply to the 9.55 lakh individuals whose biometrics were locked during the NRC process.

"These individuals will receive their Aadhaar cards without additional conditions," he said.

Reaffirming his government's dedication to identifying illegal immigrants, Sarma revealed that several individuals from Bangladesh had been apprehended over the last two months and handed over to authorities.