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New Delhi, Nov 28 (Anita—PMI NEWS) The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has permanently canceled 20 million Aadhaar cards in the country’s largest identity cleanup drive to date. These were Aadhaar numbers belonging to individuals who had passed away but remained active in the system, making them susceptible to misuse in government schemes.
According to UIDAI, such cards, often called “ghost Aadhaar,” continue to exist after the holder’s death and can be exploited for fraudulent benefit claims. The authority verified these numbers by cross-checking state records, official death registrations, and banking data.
With the permanent deactivation, these Aadhaar numbers cannot be reactivated. Officials say the move will enhance transparency in government schemes and reduce fraudulent claims.
UIDAI has also introduced a simplified facility on the myAadhaar portal, enabling family members to report the death of an individual in just a few minutes, after which the Aadhaar number is automatically deactivated.
Experts believe this initiative will strengthen the national database, prevent misuse, and reduce unnecessary financial burden on the government. Social media reactions have been mixed, with some praising the drive while others called for greater transparency in the process. (pressmediaofindia.com)
