Aadhar Card Made Mandatory For Prisoners And Their Visitors, Home Ministry Issues SOP

New Delhi, November 3 (TNA) Now all prisoners and those visiting them will have to go through the Aadhaar verification process. This step is being taken as part of a new initiative of the Central Government to strengthen the security of the detained people besides ensuring them all due benefits.

The Home Ministry, in a missive sent to all state and union territory governments, said that the National Informatics Center (NIC) and the e-Prisons team have prepared a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) document for prisoners. Its objective is to link the Aadhaar of prisoners and all the people visiting them with the e-Prison platform. This will provide convenience to the jail officials.

The ministry said that prison authorities of states and union territories are requested to utilize the facility of Aadhaar verification of prisoners and those visiting them with a view to strengthen the security of prisoners as well as ensure proper benefits to them.

The Home Ministry, however, said that while doing so, the jail authorities will follow the relevant guidelines of the Central Government regarding Aadhaar. Earlier this year, the Home Ministry was authorized to carry out Aadhaar verification of prisoners and those visiting them.

The Ministry issued necessary notifications accordingly on March 6 and September 29. It was informed that the prison departments of the states and union territories are allowed to conduct Aadhaar verification of prisoners and their visitors.