New Delhi, June 26: Mobile phone users will no longer have to struggle and face a harrowing time to get a new mobile phone SIM without an Aadhaar card. Much to the happiness of users, the government in May had issued instructions to telecom operators to accept alternative identification documents in place of the 12-digit Aadhaar number.

With the latest move, telecom operators can now issue new SIM cards on the basis of any identity document like driving licence, passport and election voter ID card. Telecom secretary Aruna Sundararajan had informed that mobile companies have been asked to follow the instructions “immediately” so that consumers are not inconvenienced.

Sundararajan had said there is no change in the prevalent rules that mobile phone companies cannot deny anyone a new SIM card for want of Aadhaar and can use alternative identification documents for the purpose.

The Supreme Court has already clarified that Aadhaar is not mandatory for getting SIM cards until it takes a final view. "As per rule, fresh connections can be given using any authentic ID and address proof. There is no change in that rule. Telecom operators cannot deny fresh SIM to people having valid ID and address proof document. For re-verification, we have to wait for Supreme Court order as the matter is sub-judice," Sundararajan was quoted by PTI.

For the unversed, the government had on October 25, 2017 told the Supreme Court that the deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar to receive benefits of government schemes has been extended till March 31, 2018 for those who do not have the 12-digit unique biometric identification number and were willing to enrol for it. Earlier, some petitioners in the top court have termed the linking of the UIDAI number with bank accounts and mobile numbers as "illegal and unconstitutional".

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 26, 2018 11:22 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).