As a move to facilitate people the residents to easily enroll for Aadhar cards, the Department of Posts have come up with an initiative to procure biometric devices in post offices across the state.
As of now, in Tamil Nadu, there are only 13 post offices that handle Aadhar enrolment using biometric kits. Aadhar details can however be updated across 72 post offices in the state.
M. Sampath, the Chief Postmaster General of Tamil Nadu Circle, in his statement about this, said that they have zeroed in on 1,435 post offices where Aadhar card enrolment can be done, and Aadhar updates such as change of marital status or address can be done. Currently, the process of procuring and distributing these kits is being handled. At present, over 12 post offices in Tirupur have started offering Aadhar enrolment services as they have procured the biometric devices.
Addressing a query raised about the complaints raised regarding the Aadhar enrolment facility, officials said there were such complaints in the initial days, and that the staff are being trained to handle the biometric devices and overall enrolment process.
At Anna Road HPO, customers can get enrolled for Aadhar card. After a few weeks, they can get enrolled at other post offices as well.
Chennai GPO is showing focus on the marginalized sector staff members. With this, it will be easy for the residents to get Aadhar card and be benefited out of the social security schemes. Migrant workers from northeastern India and transgender individuals will be given priority during enrolment.
The total number of post offices where Aadhar enrolment can be done will also be increased. There are 10 post offices including the one in Triplicane and Anna Nagar that function as updation center in Chennai city. Soon, the count will be increased to 500.
Across Tamil Nadu, about 20,000 Aadhar cards are so far updated of which 15,000 updations are made in Chennai city. Once the total number of post offices offering the facility is increased, the department shall approach more residents.
Amidst these, there are campaigns taking place for linking Aadhar with savings bank account. So far, about 33 percent of the total 26 lakh accounts in Chennai are only linked with Aadhar. Officials at the Chennai GPO say that they have set up special desks in post offices for aiding residents with Aadhar seeding and they are given out with notices issued to customers.