BJP MPs express concern over non-citizens accessing Aadhaar for voter ID, passport
The committee headed by Congress leader K C Venugopal, which is discussing the functioning of the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India), also met Thursday.
Parliamentary committee proceedings are privileged and details of exchanges between members during meetings are not made public.
The BJP leaders have raised the issue at a time when the Election Commission is undertaking a special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar to ensure that ineligible persons do not get to vote. The 11 eligibility documents that those who did not feature in the 2003 electoral rolls need to furnish do not include Aadhaar, though the Supreme Court has suggested that such documents be considered for the SIR exercise.
Some members, it is learnt, have pointed out instances in Bihar, Jharkhand and Karnataka of non-citizens acquiring Aadhaar and using the document to obtain other documents like voter ID cards and passports.
The members have underlined that State welfare measures are meant for citizens and not foreigners. They flagged that the process of procuring Aadhaar cards was less stringent earlier, and people could enrol on the basis of a self-declaration affidavit.
It is learnt that the members have expressed concern over illegal immigrants claiming scarce resources meant for citizens, becoming voters and posing a threat to national security.
The CAG has flagged 4.5 lakh instances of Aadhaar duplication.
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