Odishatv Bureau

Balasore: At a time when Aadhaar card has been made mandatory for important works including several government schemes, residents in Balasore are now left in quandary as several centres here are charging fee for enrollment.

The Aadhaar Card centres are charging fee of about Rs 50- Rs 200 for enrolling people for the unique identification number which is officially meant to be provided free.

“From validating mobile connections to banks, Aadhaar is now an important document. The agency authorized to enroll people for Aadhaar cards is extracting money from us,” said Joseph Murmu, a beneficiary.

Aadhaar card centres exploiting the public by collecting money for free services has led to massive resentment as nearly 4,000 to 5,000 people are turning up at 40 to 45 registration centres in the district on a daily basis.

Also Read: Aadhaar-PAN linking deadline extended till Dec 31

The staff managing such centres claim that as neither the government nor the agencies that have hired them are paying their dues, they are forced to collect money from the public.

“We are helpless as we have to make staff payments and meet other expenses,” Nijamal Adakadi, a staff at a registration centre said.

Manmath Pani, ADM, Balasore on the other hand claimed that they are yet to receive any complaints regarding collection of money at Aadhaar centres.

“As per provision, no fee will be collected for new enrollments while people have to pay Rs 50 for any corrections,” Pani added.

https://youtu.be/JtDFm6KwcWc

Also Read: SIM cards not linked to Aadhaar to be deactivated after Feb next year

scrollToTop