Aadhaar-SIM linking to get easier for senior citizens

Mumbai: The government is considering various measures to mitigate difficulties faced by senior citizens in linking SIM numbers and Aadhaar.

The Supreme Court's Lokniti Foundation case order in February 2017, directed the government to facilitate the linking of SIM cards with Aadhaars. All connections not linked with Aadhaar will be deactivated post February 2018.

The government is considering the usage of online OTP (one time password) for mobile numbers registered with the Aadhaar database of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), said a TOI report. For senior citizens whose fingerprints are indistinct, the government is considering introducing iris scanning. It is also considering conducting home visits for senior citizens.

This development comes after it was reported that the existing linking measures are time consuming and have been causing inconvenience to the public. Long queues outside service providers’ counters and unavailability of machines have been holding back many from going ahead with the process.

The government is also reportedly considering using a proxy authorisation option that will require a person nominated by a senior citizen to verify the Aadhaar linkage. This facility may be extended to other mobile users as well.

"We are trying to smoothen things for both -telcos and customers. We are particularly concerned for older customers where biometrics can fail. We are coming out with measures to ease the pain of customers," said Telecom secretary Aruna Sundararajan.