Aadhaar card to be linked with flights soon?

In its another move on Aadhaar card, the Central government has now sought reports from IT major Wipro on Aadhar-based biometric access.

New Delhi: The Central government has now asked Information Technology major Wipro to come up with reports and to develop a blueprint for Aadhaar-based biometric access to flight passengers at all airports across the country.

According to reports, based on government's direction, Wipro is likely to submit a report in May after which the airports will start the process where a flyer's thumb would be all the identification they need to be eligible to fly on domestic flights.

International flights would still require a passport.

The aviation ministry had an idea about linking Aadhaar number with flight bookings which enables the biometric access possible at all airports. Reports revealed that the solid push was taken by Aviation Minister Jayant Sinha and Aviation Secretary R N Choubey in a meeting with several airport operators and airlines officials.

According to Airports Authority of India chief Guruprasad Mohapatra, he said that linking of Aadhaar card number and thumb identification will help an official know about the passenger boarding the flight. Mohapatra explained that at the time of booking, a passenger enters his/her Aadhaar number. On arrival at an airport, the passenger can just place the thumb on the touchpad at an entry point and at other points inside the airport.

Mohapatra added that AAI wants the passengers to have effortless and seamless travel experience at airports.

As everyone is aware that due to security reasons, a passenger in India has to show his or her identification card along with the tickets to enter the airport.

The government has been trying to make Aadhaar as the sole identity card in the future a move that could possibly replace PAN, voter and ration cards.

When an Aadhaar card is mandatory:

Getting a passport

Hassle-free passport services: Now, you can get a passport in just 10 days if you have an Aadhaar card. The government has announced that an Adhaar card or e-Aadhaar card can be used as proof of date of birth while applying for passports.

Income tax:

Anyone who is trying to file income tax returns needs to link their Aadhaar number with their PAN before July. If one fails to do so it will not be considered as a valid ITR filing.

Access to provident fund

The Provident Fund Organisation has also made it compulsory for all pensioners and members to submit their Aadhaar card numbers. It is basically done for pensioners to avail hassle-free pension at the time of retirement.

Mobile connections

According to a department of telecom notification that was issued on Friday, the telecom operators have been directed to re-verify their existing subscribers -- both prepaid and postpaid -- through an Aadhaar-based eKYC process by February 6, 2018.

For free LPG connection

The Centre announced that Aadhaar card is now mandatory for women in the Below Poverty Line category applying for a free LPG connection. Applicants without the unique ID number have until May 31 to apply for it to avail the benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, the ministry of petroleum and natural gas said in a notice.

Railway ticket booking

Railways have also made plans to link Aadhaar with ticket booking. They have also held a discussion with UIDAI for linking Aadhaar number with the booking of a ticket.

To get a driving licence

The government has planned to make Aadhaar mandatory for seeking a new licence or renewal of your driving licence in a bid to ensure that there are no multiple driving licences under one name.

Even the 'Midday meal scheme'

The ministry of human resource development announced that the mid-day meal would no longer be free for those children without an Aadhaar card. It was stated that children must be enrolled in the Aadhar scheme by June 30, if they were to get a free meal.

OneIndia News