Eastern Mirror Impact: UIDAI launches special Aadhaar enrolment for PwDs in Nagaland

• DIMAPUR — Following the publication of a report highlighting the struggles faced by persons with disabilities (PwDs) in Nagaland in obtaining Aadhaar cards, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) took swift action, organising a special enrolment drive in Dimapur and Chümoukedima on March 26 and 27.
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• The enrolment drive, supervised by representatives from the UIDAI Regional Office in Guwahati, saw the successful registration of 11 PwDs through home enrolment, including 18-year-old twins Yongkhong and Hankum Chang, and 16-year-old Nchumthung Lotha, who had previously been denied Aadhaar enrolment due to their medical conditions.
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• The initiative followed a report published by Eastern Mirror that brought to light the barriers PwDs faced in obtaining Aadhaar, which prevented them from accessing government welfare schemes such as the Unique Disability ID (UDID), disability pensions, assistive devices, and health insurance. The report was facilitated by the Sarthak LIC HFL Initiatives.

Nchumthung undergoing Aadhaar enrolment on March 27 during the special drive in Dimapur.

 

• Corrective measures
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• Speaking to Eastern Mirror, a UIDAI representative noted that the operators in Nagaland should have informed the families about home enrolment options.
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• “We have taken cognisance of it, and we will take necessary steps to train operators and create wider awareness regarding the enrolment process for persons with disabilities,” he assured.
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• He emphasised that the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for PwD enrolments allow for special accommodations, including home visits and alternative biometric verification methods.
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• He further stated that the office will work closely with local authorities to ensure that such cases do not fall through the cracks in the future.
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• Related: Aadhaar barrier for PwDs in Nagaland
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• Guidelines for home enrolment
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• According to UIDAI’s home enrolment policy, the service is available for PwDs, senior citizens, and bedridden individuals.
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• To apply, individuals must submit a home enrolment request to the deputy commissioner along with supporting documents—a medical certificate from a registered practitioner or a disability ID card—as proof of eligibility.
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• The application can also be directly submitted to the UIDAI Regional Office Guwahati via email (helpdesk.roghy@uidai.net.in) along with documents.
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• Upon verification, the Regional Office assigns the task to an Aadhaar Registrar within two working days.
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• The Registrar then schedules the enrolment within seven days, extendable up to 15 days in case of slot unavailability, as per the UIDAI’s 2023 office memorandum.
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• The home enrolment service is chargeable at INR 700 (including GST) for the first applicant at an address.
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• Each additional applicant at the same address, as per UIDAI guidelines, is charged INR 350.