The central government has made it compulsory to have an Aadhaar number for filing tax returns.
The Government, further said, that 88% of people across the country have been assigned Aadhaar figures.
Of the 36 states and Union Territories in the country, eight states, including Telangana, has 100% Aadhaar coverings.
The lowest number of registered Aadhaar card holders, are in Assam, holding 7%, and Meghalaya, holding 9%.
About, 97% of the population in Andhra Pradesh has an aadhar number. Likewise, in Gujarat, 92% of people have aadhar numbers.
Around 15 states and Union Territories, across the country, have more than 90% aadhar coverage.
Manipur, Jammu & Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland are below 70% and in Bihar, 79% of the population have an aadhar number.
According to age-wise, the Aadhar number assignment below 5 years of age is 31%, and 72.4% between 5 years and 18 years.
The Aadhar number coverage, goes up to 99%, for above 18 years.
Some States, like Delhi, Haryana, and Telangana have crossed 100% in assigning Aadhaar number.
- Delhi -118%
- Haryana - 103%
- Telangana - 102%
Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), J. Satyanarayana, attributes this to migration of people from one state to another.
Every year the population increases by two-and-a-half crore.
Mr Satyanarayana said that, few states handed over the work of assigning the Aadhaar number to census enumerator, who did not make much progress.
“Now, UIDAI is doing the work itself and expects to achieve 100% Aadhaar coverage in states that are lagging behind.”
No citizen in the country will be dismissed of any government service due to not having Aadhaar number.
“While filing tax returns, taxpayers should give their Aadhaar number,” he said.
Those who do not have an Aadhaar number, can submit any other proof of identity, as prescribed by the income tax department, added Satyanarayana.
Currently, a newborn can also get an aadhar number, but not an aadhar card.
Only an aadhar number, is generated for children below the age of five. And whenever necessary, the biometrics of the mother and father are taken.
However, the Central government, is now planning to issue Aadhaar cards to children above the age of three years.
By Supraja
