Shillong, April 19: Amid ongoing concerns among sections of the population regarding Aadhaar enrolment, the Meghalaya government has reiterated its position that while Aadhaar is not compulsory, those who choose not to enrol must also accept the consequences of that decision, especially when it comes to accessing government welfare schemes.

Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong addressed the issue recently, stating clearly that Aadhaar enrolment remains voluntary in the state. However, he cautioned that those opting out should not expect to receive benefits tied to the biometric identification system.

“The government cannot force people to enrol, but if they can’t access any government schemes, they can’t complain that the government has abandoned them,” Tynsong said.

He acknowledged the concerns expressed by certain groups, particularly those linking Aadhaar enrolment to religious beliefs.
“We understand their fear, as the same is linked to religion, and we don’t want to interfere with people’s beliefs if they don’t want it,” he said, affirming the government’s respect for personal and religious choices.

However, Tynsong urged citizens to consider the broader and long-term effects of their decisions, particularly on their families. “We respect that, but people should understand that their misunderstanding can have an impact on their children,” he added.

Resistance to Aadhaar enrolment has been notable in parts of Meghalaya, especially in rural and faith-based communities. Concerns have ranged from privacy issues to religious sensitivities, particularly in the Christian-majority state.

The central government has consistently maintained that Aadhaar is designed primarily to improve identity verification and ensure efficiency in the distribution of welfare benefits. Despite this, skepticism persists in certain quarters.

The Supreme Court of India, in its 2018 landmark judgment, upheld the constitutional validity of Aadhaar while restricting its mandatory use to specific welfare schemes and subsidies. Following this, the Meghalaya government has tried to strike a careful balance—encouraging enrolment to improve access to welfare while respecting public concerns.

With a growing number of welfare programmes—including subsidies, scholarships, pension schemes, and rural employment benefits—now linked to Aadhaar through Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), the state administration has expressed concern that those who opt out may find themselves at a disadvantage.

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