JD-U spokesperson Neeraj Kumar on Sunday expressed concern over Assam's departure from the national policy for issuance of the Aadhaar. The state government, headed by its chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has announced a new rule making the NRC application receipt number mandatory for applicants before issuing the Aadhaar cards.
Aadhaar cards are issued under a uniform policy across the country. The concept of 'one nation, one law' implies that it does not make sense to have varying criteria for states like Assam, Bihar, and West Bengal," he added.
Later, on sensitive issues such as the NRC, he also made it clear that there are divergent views among political parties and what is required is a collective decision.
"This is an important issue. The Central government has the power to stipulate the procedure for issuing the Aadhaar card with uniform criterion throughout the states. Whether Assam can do it or not is not known," he added.
The Assam government has made stern laws concerning the issuance of Aadhaar. "To get new Aadhaar cards in the state, all new applicants have to provide their NRC application receipt number," announced Chief Minister Sarma on Saturday.
"Only applicants who applied for NRC can procure Aadhaar; a blow to illegal immigrants, New Nagarik Samitis will strengthen community policing," Sarma posted on X.
Sarma further said that the Central government has left it to the discretion of the state governments as to whether people require Aadhaar cards.
Read also| Congress, NC want to push J-K back into era of terrorism, unrest, Says Anurag Thakur
