PTI | Updated: Feb 6, 2018, 15:50 IST
NEW DELHI: The UIDAI today cautioned the public against going for plastic or laminated Aadhaar smart cards saying their unauthorised printing could render the QR code dysfunctional or even expose personal data without an individual's informed consent.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) asserted that the Aadhaar letter, its cutaway portion, downloaded versions of Aadhaar on ordinary paper or mAadhaar are "perfectly valid".
Moreover, unauthorised printing of Aadhaar smart cards could cost between Rs 50-300, or even more, a payment that is completely unnecessary, it said.
"...the plastic or PVC Aadhaar smart cards are often not usable as the QR code (Quick Response Code) commonly becomes dysfunctional during such unauthorised printing at some vendor/shop," UIDAI said in a statement.
It further said: "Also, there could be a possibility of sharing Aadhaar details (personal sensitive demographic information) without informed consent with some devious elements".
UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey said the plastic Aadhaar Smart card is totally "unnecessary and a waste" as the downloaded Aadhaar card printed on ordinary paper or mAadhaar is valid for all kind of uses.
TOP COMMENT
Mitrons, Link your aadhaar to bank, properties, gold, cows and give up all of them voluntarily just like what you did with "gas subsidy" and old currencies. Otherwise your bank a/c, properties, gold, cows will be forcefully seized by government.
You could also be arrested under AML, APL, BPL, CPL acts! Be a good follower of Mahatma Gandhi and link aadhaar with everything and give them up voluntarily. Soldiers are dying in borders, farmers are committing suicide, my pal aadhaar babaji Arun Jaitley is working 24x7 to make sure honest tax payers, businessmen also meet same fate as our farmers and soldiers. Jai Hind.
Selling Aadhaar Data
"There is no concept such as smart or plastic Aadhaar card", Pandey added.
Advising people to be cautious, Pandey asked individuals not to share their Aadhaar number or personal details with unauthorised agencies for getting it laminated, or printed on plastic cards.
The nodal body also cautioned unauthorised agencies not to collect Aadhaar information from public for printing of Aadhaar cards saying collecting such information or unauthorised printing of Aadhaar card is a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment under law.