Adhaar card is already a mandatory identification document needed for application of new LPG connections, admission into colleges and for availing various subsidies from the Government. It is also linked to bank accounts, PAC cards and for e-filing ITR. Modi government is now close to making it mandatory for citizens to link their Aadhaar card with their driving license. This process is set to take off from October 2017.
Though driving license issuance is a state subject, the Center is set to encourage all state ministries to make it mandatory to link the Adhaar card with driving licenses. It is reported that there will be a deadline, post which, driving licenses of those who fail to link will be suspended.
This linking of driving licenses with the distinctive identification number of the Aadhaar card will bring to an end issuance of multiple driving licenses in the same person’s name. It will also aid in suspending licenses, finding fake licenses and biometric details on Adhaar cards will enable to traffic police department to bring defaulters to book.
This new plan was announced by Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad. He was speaking at the Digital Haryana Summit 2017 and stated that the same was already discussed with Mr. Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road transport and Highways. Though discussion with state ministries is yet to be conducted, the process has already commenced to procure an entire database of driving licenses in the country so as to ensure that duplication is brought to an end.
The Center has taken into consideration the 30 year old Motor Vehicle Act which is no longer suitable considering the increased amounts of traffic and road accidents. Making Adhaar card mandatory and increasing fine for traffic violations will help in bringing down number of accidents and totally eradicate issue of duplicate driving licenses and duplicate vehicle registrations.
