Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has clarified that Aadhaar authentication or Aadhaar-based requirements should not be made mandatory for the issuance of government certificates solely on the basis of an earlier Office Memorandum that has now been withdrawn.
According to a communiqué issued by the Government of Goa’s Department of Information and Publicity, UIDAI has withdrawn its previous Office Memorandum which had stated that the issuance of certificates by government departments could be considered under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, as such certificates are often used to determine eligibility for benefits, subsidies and services.
UIDAI has further clarified that the withdrawal of the memorandum will operate prospectively and will not affect actions already taken under the earlier directive.
The authority also stated that the withdrawal pertains specifically to the use of Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act in relation to the issuance of certificates by government departments.
As a result, government departments have been informed that Aadhaar authentication or Aadhaar-based requirements should not be insisted upon for the issuance of certificates merely on the basis of the withdrawn Office Memorandum.
The clarification is expected to provide relief to citizens seeking various government certificates, ensuring that the absence of Aadhaar authentication does not become a barrier in obtaining such documents.
