Amid cash chaos, UIDAI warns citizens against misuse of Aadhaar

As government aims to strenghten the data base of each individual via Aadaar and link the same to bank account and Income Tax post demonetisation exercise, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has cautioned the public to clearly indicate purpose of providing photocopies of their Aadhaar letter to prevent misuse of the same. It has also launched a revamped version of its toll-free helpline number -- 1947.

"Photocopies of the Aadhaar letter are being submitted by the general public to banks. We urge them to clearly indicate the purpose for which they are submitting the same along with the date and time. This actually is a good practice whenever they submit photocopies of documents," UIDAI Chief Executive Officer Ajay Bhushan Pandey said in a statement.

He, however, noted that since Aadhaar is a digitally verifiable identity and can be authenticated anytime and anywhere, the chances of its misuse are limited. Following the decision to make old Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 bank notes invalid, the government has allowed citizens to getcurrency of up to Rs 4,500 per person changed in cash from bank branches and post offices.

Along with the specified performa, citizens are also required to provide a proof of identity that includes Aadhaar,PAN card or voter ID card.

UIDAI has also launched a revamped version of its toll-free helpline number -- 1947 -- to help residents get quick access to information about Aadhaar. The helpline will be available 24x7 throughout the year on IVRS mode, while call-centre agents will be available from 0700 HRS to 2300 HRS (Monday to Saturday), On Sundays, agents will answer calls from 0800 HRS to 1700HRS, it added. On an average, the helpline number handles about 1.5 lakh calls per day. "Our toll-free helpline 1947, which has been revamped tohandle more incoming calls, brings Aadhaar closer to everyone.It can be accessed through mobile or landline and will beespecially beneficial in these times when the Aadhaar numberis being increasingly used in the banking sector to identifyindividuals," Pandey said.

The helpline will among other things, enable residents to locate an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre, know generation status of an Aadhaar number (after enrolment) and help retrieve Aadhaar details of any person who has lost his/her Aadhaar or hasn't received it through post.