TIRUCHY: With Aadhaar turning out to be an essential document for most government applications, those who are worried about locating an enrolment centre in their localities need not fret further as more post offices in Tamil Nadu will be extending services before April 20.
The Tiruchy postal region has identified as many as 380 post offices from Cuddalore, Karur, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Perambalur, Karaikal, Pudukkottai, Ariyalur and Tiruchy districts to start Aadhaar enrolment centres. Significantly, 22 post offices in Tiruchy city itself will be getting this facility.
Sources said Tiruchy postal region has so far completed installing the equipment at 250 post offices.
"We have already provided necessary training for the employees on the process of enrolment to Aadhaar. Public can approach the Aadhaar enrolment facility at the post offices with the necessary documents. They can also clear their doubts with our employees,"the sources added.
Importantly, there is no charge for a person to enrol for Aadhaar cards at the post offices. However, there is a charge for updating or changing the Aadhaar details and also for taking a print of the card. Currently, the post offices are charging Rs 30 for updating or changing Aadhaar details. Similarly, Rs 12 is levied for for black and white print and Rs 24 for colour print of Aadhaar card.
Senior citizens have welcomed the initiative. "Nowadays most of the offices including banks are requesting for Aadhaar details. So, this identity card has turned into a basic need. Tthe decision to open more Aadhaar enrolment facilities is beneficial for senior citizens like me as we can go to the nearest centre," said Shanthasivam, a senior citizen who came for Aadhaar enrolment at Tiruchy Head Post Office.
With the city set to get 22 Aadhaar enrolment centres, the officials are of the view that this will bring down the rush at the Aadhaar enrolment centre in Tiruchy Head Post Office. "Apart from bringing down the rush at the existing centres, residents of 10 districts would be benefitted from the new service centres," said sources.