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.
