Sarma stated that members of the ST, SC and Tea Garden communities are exempted from the restriction until March 31, 2027. Screengrab: ANI
Assam to stop Aadhaar issuance for adults to curb illegal immigration, says CM Himanta
Assam will stop issuing Aadhaar cards to most adults above 18 years, introducing a special approval mechanism aimed at preventing illegal immigration
The Assam government has decided not to issue Aadhaar cards to those above the age of 18 years in the state, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday (June 13), adding that the move is aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from Bangladesh from obtaining the document.
Exemptions till 2027
Elaborating further, Sarma stated that members of the ST, SC and Tea Garden communities are exempted from the restriction until March 31, 2027.
“The exemption will remain in place until March 31, 2027. From April 1, 2027, even people from these communities above the age of 18 will no longer be issued Aadhaar cards,” the Chief Minister said. However, Aadhaar enrolment for those below the age of 18 years will continue.
‘Aadhaar for adults in exceptional cases’
Sarma told reporters, during a Cabinet briefing, that Aadhaar cards would be issued to adults only in special cases, adding that such applications have to be routed through the district commissioner, who in turn will submit a proposal to the State government for approval.
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“The government will then decide whether the applicant is eligible for an Aadhaar card,” Sarma said as quoted in media reports.
"The Assam cabinet has decided not to provide Aadhaar cards to any person above 18 years... ST, SC, and Tea Garden people will get an Aadhaar card till March 2027,” he added.
Special approval route
The Chief Minister also said that Aadhaar enrolment in Assam has already reached saturation level, and in some districts it has crossed 100 per cent.
“We must ascertain who these people are who are taking the additional Aadhaar cards. The step is being taken to ensure that no illegal Bangladeshi obtains an Aadhaar card,” said Sarma as quoted by the Indian Express.
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The Aadhaar-related decision comes amid a broader push by the Assam government to tighten measures against illegal immigration. Over the past few years, the state has stepped up deportation drives, carried out eviction operations and continued the identification of suspected foreigners through the NRC and Foreigners Tribunal process.
Push against illegal immigration
Earlier, Sarma had said the state could invoke provisions of the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950, for the expulsion of illegal immigrants. He said a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, while hearing matters related to Section 6A, observed that the law remains in force and that it is not necessary in every case to approach a Foreigners Tribunal before initiating deportation proceedings.
Sarma said Deputy Commissioners are empowered under the law to order expulsions and added that the process of identifying foreigners, which had slowed after the NRC exercise, would now be accelerated.