On Saturday, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) stated that no one should be refused vaccines, medicines, hospitalization, or treatment because they do not have an Aadhaar number.
The UIDAI has stated that Aadhaar should not be used as a justification for denying basic services.
Given the second extreme wave of the COVID-19 pandemic that has engulfed the nation, the assertion assumes significance.
The UIDAI said in a statement that there is a well-established exception handling protocol (EHM) for Aadhaar that should be implemented to ensure that benefits and services are delivered even if the 12-digit biometric ID is not present.
Residents who do not have Aadhaar for any reason need not be refused basic facilities under the Aadhaar Act.
“No one shall be denied vaccine, medicine, hospitalization or treatment for want of Aadhaar,” UIDAI said flagging certain reports which claimed that some essential services like hospitalization, were being denied to the residents for want of Aadhaar.
It said that if a person does not have Aadhaar or if Aadhaar online authentication fails for any reason, the concerned agency or department must provide the service in accordance with the Aadhaar Act, 2016.
The Aadhaar-issuing body has recommended that in the event of any such denial of service or profit, the matter should be brought to the attention of the relevant departments’ higher authorities.
The UIDAI emphasised that Aadhaar is intended to add clarity and accountability to public service delivery through the efficient use of technology, and that it has released exception handling regulations (circular dated October 24, 2017) to ensure that no beneficiary is denied benefits or facilities due to a lack of Aadhaar.
“Also, relevant provisions are there in the Aadhaar Act under Section 7 to ensure that there is no exclusion and no denials. Further, the Cabinet Secretariat OM dated 19 December 2017 has clearly explained the exception handling mechanism by using alternate means of identification for extending benefits and services to the residents who do not posses Aadhaar or in cases where Aadhaar authentication is not successful due to any reason,” UIDAI said.
According to data updated on Saturday by the Union health ministry, India reported 3,26,098 COVID-19 cases in a single day, bringing the total to 2,43,72,907 cases and 3,890 new deaths, bringing the death toll to 2,66,207. The cumulative number of Covid vaccine doses given out in India has surpassed 18 crore.
