Karnataka: 27 lakh still to apply for Aadhaar

Bengaluru: The Aadhaar card may now be mandatory for enjoying the benefits of a majority of  social security schemes of both the state and Union governments, but going by official data based on the 2011 census, over  27 lakh people have still not applied for it in Karnataka. Some believe this number could actually be around  67 lakh given that the population of the state has risen by around 40 lakh since  2011.

Till November 15 this year, 5,83,73,198 Aadhaar cards have been generated in the state, according to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).  And taking the 2011 census into account, it  assumes that over  27 lakh people have still not applied for it in the state.

With the CBSE too  making the Aadhaar card a must for  JEE applicants, lakhs of students could be in a fix if they do not have it, point out official sources. “Several thousands of students, studying in various classes, have not yet  applied for Aadhaar cards. Most of them are from  weaker sections of  society. Also, the nomadic groups are having trouble making them. This is the  real challenge,” explained an official, adding that although both the state government and UIDAI claimed  Aadhaar enrolment centres had been set up across the state to make sure everyone got the card, those who didn’t  have  an address proof were not coming forward to enrol. “These are the people who  really need government support,” he stressed.