Aadhaar-SIM Linking: Cellular Body Says ‘Not Ready’, Asks UIDAI For More Time To Operationalise OTP-Aadhaar Re-Verification For SIMs - JPKee.com

New Delhi, November 23: The government has made it mandatory to verify mobile numbers with Aadhaar for all existing customers before February 6, 2018. However, the telecom operators have sought more time from the government for implementation of Aadhaar OTP. The current deadline to operationalise OTP for Aadhaar- based re-verification is December 1.

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) that represents telecom majors like Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular on Wednesday has asked for more time from Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to operationalise new modes like OTP for Aadhaar- based re-verification of SIM cards. “We are not ready. We have told the UIDAI and the Telecom Department that timeframe which has been given to the operators from UIDAI is unrealistic in terms of implementation that is being proposed,” Director-General of Cellular Operators’ Association of India Rajan Mathews was quoted by PTI.

To fasten this process of Aadhaar-SIM linking, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which issues the 12-digit personal identification number or Aadhaar number had announced an easy way that will allow individuals to link their Unique Identity Number with mobile numbers or SIM using an OTP. The COAI said that the present customer acquisition form will need to be modified as “it would not be possible for the telecom service providers to fill many of the mandatory fields in the CAF in an OTP-based process”.

Mathews, in a letter dated November 20 to the UIDAI said, “Considering the technical changes that the telecom operators have to undergo, the timelines for implementation of any such process should be realistic, at least 4-6 weeks from the date of the process being finalised and implementation orders issued by Department of Telecom (along with the new eCAF)”.

Reports state that the COAI is also pushing for SMS-based, One Time Password to be included as part of the new mechanism, in which web-based and IVRS-based processes have been accorded the green signal. Starting December 1, the UIDAI said that users can link the two at their own comfort, 2017. “No need to give fingerprints to local SIM card retailer for your mobile phone verification… From December 1, 2017, you can do it from the comfort of your home through OTP received the mobile number registered with Aadhaar,” the UIDAI had tweeted.

Apart from linking Aadhaar to SIM Card and Aadhaar to PAN, the government has also mandated production of 12-digit unique Aadhaar number for opening new bank accounts and to avail social schemes. The telecom operators have been directed by the DoT to offer verification facility to subscribers at their doorsteps for the convenience of those with disability, illness or old age.

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Author - Vikash Kumar