Social activist Greneth M Sangma has cited violation of Aadhaar exemption in the state and urged the district administration in South Garo Hills to issue guidelines in relation to its implementation.
In a letter to the South Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Sangma stated that various departments are denying benefits and services to residents unless they produce an Aadhaar number, despite Meghalaya being exempted from Aadhaar requirements.
According to Sangma, this is happening in areas such as issuance of job card, school admission and opening of bank accounts, etc.
“This indirect coercion is in contravention of the Supreme Court ruling and the Aadhaar Act, which exempts Meghalaya, Assam, and Jammu & Kashmir from Aadhaar requirements,” he said.
He urged the Deputy Commissioner to circulate guidelines to all concerned departments and authorities in the district not to deny benefits or services to any person who does not have an Aadhaar and to accept alternate means of identification as per relevant notifications.