Friday 19 / April / 2024
Muscat: Indians living in Oman may not be eligible for an Aadhaar Card, but could apply for one if they meet certain criteria, according to the Indian Embassy in Muscat.
A circular, issued by the Indian Embassy on November 27 and released by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), states that "the laws regarding submitting/linking of Aadhaar for availing the services/benefits applies to the resident as per the Aadhaar Act, 2016. In view of the foregoing, most of the NRIs/PIOs/OCIs may not be eligible for Aadhaar enrolment as per Aadhaar Act, 2016. However, implementing agency may devise a mechanism to ascertain the genuineness of such status of such NRIs/PIOs/OCIs.
"Further, Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, provides that 'if an Aadhaar number is not assigned to an individual, the individual shall be offered alternate and viable means of identification for delivery of subsidy, benefit or service'."
However, another circular released by Indian Embassy in Muscat on Monday, December 4, states that: "Aadhaar Card enrollment is presently available to residents in India. Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders who stay in India for a long time (over 182 days in 12 months immediately preceding the date of application for enrolment) and have an Indian address can also enroll for Adhaar Card in India.
"NRIs, although they are citizens of India, are not be eligible for an Adhaar Card if they have not stayed for more than 182 days or more in the last 12 months. Upon completion of 182 days of their stay in India in the last 12 months immediately preceding the date of application for enrolment, NRIs can apply for Adhaar Card."
Accordingly, Indians living in Oman don't have to link Adhaar Card to PAN or don't have to quote Adhaar Card number in the PAN card, the Embassy said.
Earlier, the Indian embassy in Muscat had said: "Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are not entitled to an Aadhaar Card and do not require it for filing tax returns or anything else."
