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Article104.pngThe Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has cautioned people not to fall prey to ploys of unscrupulous entities who are charging money for printing Aadhaar on a plastic card in the name of smart card, as the Aadhaar letter or its cutaway portion or downloaded version of Aadhaar is perfectly valid. There have been reports that unscrupulous elements were charging anywhere between Rs.50 to Rs.200 for printing Aadhaar on a plastic card in the name of smart card. Far more is being charged for simply laminating the downloaded version of Aadhaar.

“”The Aadhaar card or the downloaded Aadhaar card printed on ordinary paper is perfectly valid for all uses. If a person has a paper Aadhaar card, there is absolutely no need to get his/her Aadhaar card laminated or obtain a plastic Aadhaar card or so called SMART Aadhaar card by paying money. There is no concept such as smart Aadhaar card,”” said Director General & Mission Director of UIDAI, Dr. Ajay Bhushan Pandey.

In case a person loses his Aadhaar card, he can download his Aadhaar card free of cost from https://eaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/. The print out of the downloaded Aadhaar, even in black and white form, is as valid as the original Aadhaar letter sent by UIDAI. There is absolutely no need to print it on plastic card or get it laminated, an official statement said. In case a person still wants to get his Aadhaar card laminated or printed on plastic card, he may do so only at authorized Common Service Centres or Aadhaar Permanent Enrolment Centres by paying no more than the prescribed rate, which is not more than Rs.30, the statement added.

The public for protection of their privacy are advised not to share their Aadhaar number or personal details to unauthorized agencies for getting it laminated, or printed on plastic card, the statement said while directing E-commerce companies such E-bay, Flipkart, Amazon and others not to allow their merchants to collect Aadhaar information from general public for printing Aadhaar card as collecting such information or unauthorized printing of Aadhaar card or aiding such persons in any manner may amount to a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment under Indian Penal Code and also Chapter VI of The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.”