Mobile phone companies say high cost of using the Aadhaar<\/span> data base will force operators to transfer the expenses to the customer, which will act as a deterrent for using the 12-digit identification number.
\"Every time one accesses the Aadhaar<\/span> database, the charge is Rs<\/span> 40-Rs<\/span> 45 and getting a verification depends on connectivity which often fails leading to repeat charges. Even the point of sales person will have to use his Aadhaar<\/span> to verify his details,\" said Rajan<\/span> Mathews, director general of Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI<\/a>), which represents all the three private players—Bharti<\/span> Airtel<\/span>, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio<\/span>.
\"However, if a customer still wants to use his Aadhaar<\/span> card, then chances are a telco<\/span> will transfer the costs to him or her,\" Mathews said.
Mathews' comments come on the back of the Rajya<\/span> Sabha<\/span> passing The Aadhaar<\/span> and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019 on Monday, thereby allowing voluntary linking of the 12-digit identification number as part of know your customer (KYC) guidelines to get a bank account or mobile connection.
COAI said the telcos<\/span> are awaiting directions from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT<\/span>) on the process and also details of what customer data can be retained by the retail stores attached to the telcos<\/span> for audits. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the authority responsible for issuing Aadhaar<\/span> numbers, also need to direct the operators on the costs, said COAI.
UIDAI had issued a gazette notification on March 6, mandating private organisations using Aadhaar<\/span> services to pay Rs<\/span> 20.50 per customer verification. The cost doubles per verification because apart from the new customer, the credentials of the point-of-sale representative also need to be authenticated.
Bharti<\/span> Airtel<\/span>, Vodafone Idea and Jio<\/span> did not respond to ET's<\/span> queries.
Operators had stopped Aadhaar-based<\/span> digital verification for instant customer acquisition after the Supreme Court barred private entities from using the unique identity number last September.
The DoT<\/span> then came up with an alternative method of digital verification, which allowed telcos<\/span> to validate customer information through a combination of physical identity proofs and QR codes.
“The new digital verification system is working fine,” said Mathews.
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