New Delhi, Sep 21: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on Friday said there is no concept such as smart Aadhaar card but an Aadhaar letter or Aadhaar downloaded from UIDAI website is sufficient and a valid form of Aadhaar. The UIDAI had earlier warned people that there are few unscrupulous entities that are charging anywhere between Rs.50 to Rs.200 or more for printing Aadhaar on a plastic card in the name of the smart card. The Aadhaar issuing body informed that the Aadhaar letter or its cutaway portion or downloaded version of Aadhaar on ordinary paper is perfectly valid.

An official release by the Aadhaar issuing body informed that in case a person loses his Aadhaar card, he can download his Aadhaar card free of cost from https://eaadhaar.uidai.gov.in. In its warning of not to fall a prey to some entities charging for making a smart card, the UIDAI said Aadhaar print out of the downloaded Aadhaar card, even in black and white form, is as valid as the original Aadhaar card sent by UIDAI. It said there is absolutely no need to print it on the plastic card or get it laminated. Aadhaar Data Breach: UIDAI Dismisses Report of Hacking of Software as 'Incorrect'.

“The Aadhaar card or the downloaded Aadhaar card printed on ordinary paper is perfectly valid for all users. 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 or plastic Aadhaar card,” CEO of UIDAI, Dr. Ajay Bhushan Pandey said. Aadhaar Not Mandatory for Booking an International Parcel.

The CEO added saying for protection of privacy, people are advised not to share their Aadhaar number or personal details to unauthorized agencies for getting it laminated or printed on a plastic card.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 21, 2018 12:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).