A new controversy has started in Bihar after Aadhaar was not accepted as valid identity proof for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This revision drive, which started in June, aims to update the voter list in Bihar by removing ineligible names and adding new voters before July 25. However, the exclusion of Aadhaar has confused many people and led to political reactions.

Amid this, the CEO of UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India), Bhuvnesh Kumar, said that Aadhaar is “never the first identity.” In an exclusive talk with India Today, he explained that Aadhaar was mainly created to help with government services, not as the main identity document.

Fake Aadhaar Cards can be checked easily, says UIDAI Chief

Bhuvnesh Kumar also said that UIDAI is working hard to stop the fake Aadhaar card business. He explained that all new Aadhaar cards come with a QR code for security.
"There is a QR code on all the new Aadhaar cards issued, and there is an Aadhaar QR scanner app developed by UIDAI. With this app, one can match the credentials of the Aadhaar card with what is embedded in the QR code. If somebody produces a fake Aadhaar card, it can easily be checked and stopped," he said.

He further said that some people might create fake-looking Aadhaar cards using Photoshop or printed templates. "These are not Aadhaar cards," he clarified.

Kumar also revealed that a new Aadhaar mobile app is almost ready.
"A demo has already been done. It is a work in progress, and internally it has been shared. This app will basically allow sharing of identity in a seamless manner digitally, with the consent of the Aadhaar number holder," he said. The app will allow users to share their details in full or in a masked format, which means they can hide part of the information for safety.

Tejashwi Yadav criticises EC, asks for revision to be stopped

Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) said the SIR process is going on smoothly and no rules have been changed. The EC's June 24 directive aims to cover nearly eight crore voters in Bihar before July 25.

However, RJD leader and Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav has strongly criticised the process. He asked the EC to stop the revision drive until the upcoming assembly elections.
"It is perplexing that Aadhar cards, which are made after biometric verification and to which the EC intends to link respective voter ID cards, are not being accepted," Yadav said during a press conference with INDIA bloc leaders.

He also demanded that the EC share details about how many voters are being covered in each assembly area every day and identify the “volunteers” helping the booth-level officers (BLOs).
"This exercise should be put on hold till elections. The EC will do well to have a word with its booth-level officers who are facing the ire of voters while collecting data," Yadav added.

According to the EC, 11 documents are acceptable for the SIR, such as PSU pension cards, birth certificates, passports, educational certificates, caste certificates, NRC papers, and house or land documents. But Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and driving licenses are not on the list, which has raised serious concerns in a state where Aadhaar is widely used.

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