GUWAHATI: The Assam Higher Education Department has made Aadhaar details and Aadhaar-linked bank accounts mandatory for students seeking benefits under various government welfare schemes administered by the department.
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In an official communication issued by the Director of Higher Education, Assam on June 3, all universities and colleges across the state have been directed to ensure that students' Aadhaar information is updated and verified through the SAMARTH portal.
The order states that Aadhaar numbers and Aadhaar-linked bank accounts will now be compulsory for availing student-centric schemes such as the Waiver Scheme, Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina, and Mukhya Mantri Nijut Babu Aideo.
According to the notification, educational institutions have been instructed to furnish and regularly update valid Aadhaar-related information of students. In cases where a student does not possess an Aadhaar number, the concerned Higher Educational Institution (HEI) has been asked to take necessary steps to facilitate the student's Aadhaar enrolment and ensure that the details are uploaded to the SAMARTH portal at the earliest.
The department has also directed colleges and universities to verify the Aadhaar details already available on the portal and undertake corrective measures wherever information is found to be incomplete, inaccurate, or invalid.
The move is aimed at ensuring smooth processing and timely disbursal of benefits under various welfare schemes. Institutions have been urged to maintain continuous verification and updation of Aadhaar-related data of all eligible students to avoid delays in reimbursements and financial assistance.