Guwahati, Aug 21: In a major move to curb the issuance of Aadhaar cards to illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators, the Assam cabinet has decided that no new Aadhaar cards will be issued to individuals above 18 years of age in the state.

The new rule will come into effect from the first week of October, following a formal government notification.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, addressing the media after the cabinet meeting, said:

“Those who are 18-plus will no longer get Aadhaar cards in Assam. For SCs, STs, and tea garden tribes, Aadhaar cards will be issued only for one year. Those who have not yet applied must do so within September, as the window will remain open for just one month. After that, exceptions will be entertained only through the Deputy Commissioner’s office, with final approval resting solely with the DC.”

The Chief Minister explained that the decision was taken both in light of the state achieving Aadhaar saturation and as a safeguard against illegal immigrants accessing the document.

“We have taken this decision because, particularly in the last year, we are continuously apprehending Bangladeshis entering the country at the border. Just yesterday, we pushed back seven of them,” he said. “But we are not sure if we have been able to catch all of them. So we want to create protection so that no one can enter Assam illegally, obtain an Aadhaar card, and live as Indian citizens. We want to completely close that door.”

Sarma further noted that while Assam has recorded 103% Aadhaar saturation overall, coverage remains at 96% among SC, ST, and tea garden communities.

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