Aadhaar enrolment centre yet to reopen; parents, students worried

ur Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 16 (EMN): Students from the economically weaker sections of the society are dependent on scholarships for their educational expenses now more than ever as the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the source of income of many families.

However, with the Aadhaar enrolment centre in Kohima remaining closed for almost six months now since the nationwide lockdown began in March, most parents and students are apprehensive as they are not able get Aadhaar card, which is necessary to apply for scholarship, despite running from pillar to post.

Many parents, who were seen at the Aadhaar enrolment centre at DC complex on Wednesday, were upset as the deadline of applying for scholarships for their children is drawing near. It was informed that dozens of parents, guardians and students come to the office daily in connection with Aadhaar cards.

Sources informed that the last date to apply for scholarship is October 31, 2020.

A mother, who resides at Paramedical colony, told Eastern Mirror that she had come to the Aadhaar enrolment centre for the fourth time, ‘spending money on hiring taxi’, but only to return home dejected every time with the office remaining closed till date.

The woman added that her two children, who study at Merhülietsa High School in Kohima, needed Aadhaar card to apply for scholarship.

Aadhaar card can also be applied at the postal office in Kohima but a staff at the office had reportedly told the woman that ‘they issue the document only to the locals’. She wondered how her nephew from Assam could then easily apply for the same in Bengaluru.

A taxi driver from Kohima village said that he had come to the centre four times to apply for the unique identification card as he needed it to open bank accounts for his three children studying at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School in Kohima, but not able to do so as the office has remain closed for months.

Another person, a social worker, also shared that he had come to the centre at least five times from AG colony to apply for Aadhaar card for his sister; and a student from St. Joseph’s College in Jakhama said he had visited the office a few times via bus or taxi only to find it locked.

It may be mentioned that Eastern Mirror had earlier reported about the closure of Aadhaar enrolment centre at the DC complex in Kohima despite a notice pasted on the wall of the office that said ‘only one person would be allowed to apply for Aadhaar card at a time’.