Guwahati: Assam cabinet on Saturday banned fresh Aadhaar enrolment for people above 18 years, after several districts reported crossing saturation levels. Aadhaar cards will, however, continue to be issued to those below 18 years of age.The unusual figures have triggered serious apprehensions that illegal immigrants may be gaining access to Aadhaar cards, prompting the govt to act decisively.The ban excludes persons belonging to the Divyang, SC, ST, and tea garden communities, and this exemption will remain valid until March 31, 2027.CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Assam has already reached saturation in Aadhaar enrolment. But in some districts the saturation has crossed 114% and 115%. This raises serious apprehensions about who is obtaining these cards. We want full proof that no illegal immigrants are taking advantage of Aadhaar. We want to plug the leakage and the cabinet has therefore decided to stop issuance for any person above 18 years of age. There is complete ban from now.”He said in exceptional cases, the district commissioner will have to send a proposal to the state govt seeking permission for issuing the card. The govt will then decide whether the applicant is eligible.“From April 1, 2027, people from these communities above the age of 18 will also stop getting Aadhaar,” the CM said.The cabinet also approved a series of landmark decisions, including the rollout of the VB‑GRAM G Act from July 1, with a budgetary allocation of Rs 2,000 crore.The new rural employment generation law will provide 125 man‑days of direct wage employment, while prioritising the creation of durable assets from the labour generated under the scheme, Sarma said.In another major move, the cabinet sanctioned the establishment of the Guwahati Satellite Cities Development Authority to plan, finance, and develop satellite cities within the jurisdiction of the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority.The initiative is expected to ease urban pressure on Guwahati and promote balanced regional growth.The cabinet also decided that no‑objection certificates for officers of All India Services such as IAS will now require cabinet approval before being issued for central or inter‑state deputation, tightening oversight of senior bureaucratic transfers.
