Home Ministry allows prison authorities to conduct Aadhaar authentication of inmates

Source: The post is based on the article “Home Ministry allows prison authorities to conduct Aadhaar authentication of inmates” published in The Hindu on 7th March 2023.

What is the News?

Union Home Ministry of Home has notified that prison authorities across States are allowed to conduct authentication of prison inmates through Aadhaar for extending benefits such as meeting with relatives and legal aid. 

Note: Prison is a State subject.

About Aadhar Authentication of Prison Inmates

The Ministry of Home Affairs has authorized state governments to carry out the Aadhaar authentication of prison inmates on a voluntary basis.

This decision has been taken after it was authorized under Rule 5 of the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020 for the targeted delivery of financial and other subsidies, benefits and services.

How will the Aadhaar Authentication of Prison Inmates be done?

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has agreed to accept the Prisoner Induction Document(PID) as a valid document for enrolment or update of the Aadhaar. 

By enrolling prisoners on Aadhaar, various aspects of day-­to-­day prison administration such as production before the court, return to prison, transport, health facilities, shifting to the hospital outside the campus, interviews, free legal aid, parole, temporary release mechanisms, education/ vocational training, release from prisons could be regulated.