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S M Arun, TNN | Aug 2, 2013,

 

 

 

COIMBATORE: Even though census officials had earlier stated that Aadhar card holders would not be asked to produce biometric details at enrolment camps, complaints have started to pour in against field level operators with card holders alleging they are being forced to register data once again.

 

 

A senior official had told TOI in May that Aadhar card holders would be required to furnish other details while participating in the National Population Register (NPR)-based smart card enrolment. Hundreds of Aadhar cards holders, who had enrolled in the UIDAI-sponsored camps in 2011, are now being subjected to inconvenience by poorly-informed operators.

 

 

Narrating his harrowing experience at a smart card enrolment centre in Vadavalli last week, retired government servant M Subramanian, 60, said field operators made him run from pillar to post. “One staff said there were no instructions regarding Aadhar card holders being exempt from furnishing biometric details. I had to wait in a long queue to provide biometric data again,” said Subramanian, who received his Aadhar card in 2011. However, when he reached the counter, another operating staff told him he did not need to provide biometric details.

 

 

“When I was about to leave, another staff collected biometric details,” said an upset Subramanian. Sources said the UIDAI-sponsored enrolment camps were suspended towards the end of 2011 due to an objection raised by the Union home ministry as NPR data was not given due importance By UIDAI in issuing smart cards. Even though district collector M Karunagaran had asked enrolment agencies to instruct field operators not to register biometric details again, the problem persists.

 

 

As per standing orders, it is enough for an Aadhar card holder to update the relevant details by filling the “Know Your Resident” forms and submitting it at the enrolment camps. “Census department has instructed concerned officials to create a separate queue for Aadhar card holders and display notices at enrolment camps. However, nothing has been done,” said K Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, adding Aadhar card holders are being subjected to harassment by the operating staff.

 

 

“One field operator refused to update KYR details and turned back an Aadhar card holder,” he said. The consumers’ body has also received complaints from Aadhar card holders who were told their Aadhar cards are invalid and no separate queue for them would be available. Kathirmathiyon said that the authorities should take immediate steps to rectify the situation.

 

 

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