Guwahati, Jun 27 (PTI) The Assam government is mulling stricter Aadhaar card issuance rules for adults as part of its efforts to curb illegal immigration from Bangladesh, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday.

Toughened Aadhaar card issuance rules will also further boost the state government’s efforts in detecting and deporting illegal foreigners, he added.

"Today, we discussed a proposal where Aadhaar cards for adults will be issued only after thorough verification. The Cabinet will take a decision in this regard soon," he said while addressing a press conference after chairing a Cabinet meeting.

Highlighting that nearly 100 per cent of adults in Assam already have Aadhaar cards, Sarma added, "If any adult applies for an Aadhaar card, we will conduct a thorough check. Only the District Commissioner will be authorised to approve its issuance once the new rules come into effect." "This will ensure that no illegal immigrant can obtain an Aadhaar card, and we can track and deport them easily," he said.

Sarma also maintained that tightening of rules will help in its deportation efforts.

"Last night we deported 20 more Bangladeshis as part of our ongoing efforts to detect and push back illegal infiltrators. The decision to toughen Aadhaar issuance rules will only aid our efforts in this direction," he added.

Among the decisions taken at the Cabinet meeting are approval for allotment of land under ‘Basundhara 3.0’ to various temples, ‘namghars’ (Vaishnavite place of worship), clubs, educational institutions and socio-cultural organisations.

The council of ministers also okayed the reservation of zilla parishad president and vice-president seats for women, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe persons on basis of lottery.

The Cabinet gave its nod for amendment of existing provisions of autonomous councils for Moran and Matak communities, which will henceforth allow only people of these communities to vote in the council elections. PTI SSG SSG MNB

Aadhaar issuance rules tightened to require thorough verification and district-commissioner approval to block illegal immigrants. Proposal to tighten Aadhaar issuance rules for adults so that Aadhaar is issued only after thorough verification and with final approval by the District Commissioner, intended to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining identity credentials and to assist in their detection and deportation.