Assam likely to start Aadhaar enrolment by end of this year

GUWAHATI: Assam, which is lagging behind in the roll out of Aadhaar, is expected to start the process by December.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said vendors must be engaged in data collection for Aadhaar and should be given an opportunity to find employment through the process that entails an expenditure of Rs 160 crore for providing Aadhaar cards to 3.18 crore people of the state. The process is expected to be completed within a year.

Sonowal said that the Aadhaar crads would benefit students going to study in states where Aadhaar is mandatory for admission into educational institutions. He directed all departments to conduct awareness campaigns through street plays and short films.

The chief minister directed his departments to construct Namghars at all Assam Bhawan premises in the country , in line with the Kolkata Assam Bhawan. He was apprised in a meeting that the construction of four stories of Assam Bhawans at Vellore, Tamil Nadu had been completed.

Sonowal further stressed on the implementation of the Bodoland Village Council Act, 2012, before the forthcoming panchayat election. Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia informed that a cabinet sub-committee under the leadership of State Industry and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary has been constituted which will submit its report soon.