When we receive a reply to an email immediately from a Government department, our first reaction is surprise. But when we see the reply, we know the reason: The department has washed its hands of the issue. What's worse, the Government seems confused whether Aadhaar is mandatory or not.

An email to the Census Department in Tamil Nadu asking why the Aadhaar number has been generated for some members of a family, when they had gone for enumeration together, elicited this response:

The aadhaar number is being generated by UIDAI, Bangalore.

You can check their website frequently regarding the status of aadhaar generation.

Ok, now, if you think UIDAI Bangalore has an answer, you are wrong. This is the answer for the same question:

Acquiring an Aadhaar number is not mandatory, however it is extremely beneficial. Your unique 12 digit Aadhaar number will now be enough to validate your identity anywhere in India.

Not mandatory? Yes, a bank account is enough for subsidy transfer. And that’s what all the Ministers have been saying.

But an advertisement in newspapers by the Petroleum Ministry and Aadhaar unequivocally says Aadhaar is mandatory (see pic).

Now, which is the truth?

And the reply conveniently evades the original question - why only some members of a family have received the Aadhaar number.

>Click here to read my earlier post on the Aadhaar issue

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