Gorkhas welcome MHA's Notification on NRC Biometrics-Aadhar Issue

KalimNews, Guwahati (Assam), August 29, 2024: The Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP), a national organization representing Gorkhas across India, has welcomed the Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA) recent notification resolving the longstanding issue of NRC Biometrics and Aadhaar linkage. This resolution is expected to bring relief to nearly 9.35 lakh people in Assam, including over one lakh Gorkhas.

Nanda Kirati Dewan, General Secretary of the BGP's Assam State Committee, expressed appreciation for the MHA's notification. He highlighted that the Gorkha Parisangh has been consistently engaging with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the Registrar General of India (RGI), and the MHA for over a decade to address the biometrics issue. This advocacy spanned multiple levels, from District Commissioners and the Government of Assam to the Joint Secretary of Home Affairs.

Dewan also noted that on June 18, 2024, the BGP reminded UIDAI officials about their previous representations through a letter (No. 20016/1/2024-RO-GHY(E-14988)). The UIDAI reassured the organization that the matter was under thorough examination, with the Government of Assam also involved as a key stakeholder. Dewan commended the Modi 3.0 government for its "humanitarian decision" and extended gratitude to Home Minister Amit Shah for his support, stating that the move reflects the spirit of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas," Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guiding mantra.

He also acknowledged the efforts of both ruling and opposition Members of Parliament who raised the issue in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha at the Gorkha community's request. Special recognition was given to Shri Gaurav Gogoi, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, for his relentless advocacy. The Assam Gorkha Sammelan, a parent organization in the state, was also praised for its role in data collection and collaboration with various agencies.

The controversy originated from the capture of biometrics by UIDAI authorities during the NRC process, which over five years, had impeded the issuance of Aadhaar cards. This led to violations of basic rights, such as access to essentials through the Public Distribution System under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), banking services, Direct Benefit Transfers, healthcare, education, employment, and other essential services.

The BGP expressed gratitude to the Government of Assam and acknowledged Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, who announced that the Centre would release Aadhaar cards for over 9.35 lakh people in the state. The Chief Minister, speaking to the media in Guwahati, stated that the Aadhaar allocation process had been halted between February and August 2019 due to the NRC biometric exercise. He further noted that he recently met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to brief him on the issue and confirmed that the affected individuals would likely receive their Aadhaar cards within 15 to 30 days.