In a recent development, the Ministry of Home Affairs, on September 29, 2023, issued a significant notification regarding Aadhaar authentication for visitors to prison inmates. This notification provides guidelines and permissions for the implementation of Aadhaar authentication in prison departments across States and Union Territories.
Voluntary Aadhaar Authentication:
- The Ministry of Home Affairs, authorized by the Central Government, has introduced voluntary Aadhaar authentication for the purpose of authenticating visitors to prison inmates.
- This authentication process utilizes the Yes/No authentication facility, enhancing security measures within prison facilities.
Authorized Entities:
- The notification specifically authorizes the Prison Departments of the States and Union Territories to perform Aadhaar authentication for visitors to prison inmates.
- This move is aimed at bolstering security and ensuring the identity verification of individuals visiting inmates.
Special Consideration for Children:
- The notification emphasizes that the Prison Departments must adhere to the provisions of section 3A and 8 of the Aadhaar Act concerning authentication for individuals under 18 years of age (children).
- This special consideration is crucial to safeguard the rights and privacy of minors visiting inmates.
Conclusion
The Ministry of Home Affairs’ notification regarding Aadhaar authentication for visitors to prison inmates marks a significant step toward enhancing security and verifying the identities of individuals interacting with inmates. This voluntary authentication process, along with specific considerations for minors, aims to streamline visitor authentication in prisons. It is essential for the Prison Departments of States and Union Territories to fully comply with the provisions of the Aadhaar Act and UIDAI’s directives to ensure a lawful and secure implementation of this initiative.
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MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 29th September, 2023
S.O. 4261(E).—The Ministry of Home Affairs having been authorized by the Central Government to notify, under Rule 5 of the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020 read with sub-clause (ii) of clause (b) of sub-section 4 of Section 4 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, performance of Aadhaar authentication, on a voluntary basis, for authenticating visitors to prison inmates, using Yes/No authentication facility, hereby notifies that the Prison Departments of the States/Union Territories are allowed to perform Aadhaar authentication of the Visitors to prison inmates.
2. The Prison Departments of the States/UTs shall adhere to the provisions of section 3A and 8 of the Aadhaar Act with respect to the authentication of persons being children i.e., below 18 years of age.
3. It is further advised that all relevant provisions of the Act, the rules and regulations made thereunder, and directions issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (“Authority”) shall be complied with.
[F. No. 17013/31/2022-PR]
ARUN SOBTI, Dy. Secy.
