In a significant move to enhance citizen services, Himachal Pradesh has inaugurated its first dedicated Aadhaar Seva Kendra. The new facility, located in the Kasumpti area of Shimla, was officially opened to the public, promising a major boost in accessibility for Aadhaar-related work.
A New Hub for Digital Identity Services
The Kasumpti Aadhaar Seva Kendra was inaugurated by Sanjeev Gandhi, the State Informatics Officer of the National Informatics Centre (NIC). This marks a pivotal step in bringing centralized, dedicated Aadhaar services to the residents of the hill state. The centre is established under the auspices of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which governs the Aadhaar program nationwide.
The most notable feature of this new centre is its operational schedule. Unlike many government offices, it will remain open all seven days of the week. This includes weekends, making it exceptionally convenient for working professionals, students, and families who find it difficult to avail of services on regular weekdays.
Comprehensive Services Under One Roof
The Seva Kendra is designed to be a one-stop solution for all Aadhaar needs. It will offer the full spectrum of services mandated by UIDAI. This includes new Aadhaar enrollment for residents who have not yet obtained the 12-digit unique identity number. For existing Aadhaar holders, the centre will facilitate crucial update services.
Residents can visit the Kasumpti centre to update their demographic information, such as name, address, and date of birth. More importantly, it will also handle biometric updates, which include refreshing fingerprint and iris scans. This is particularly vital for elderly citizens or those whose biometrics may have changed over time, ensuring their digital identity remains accessible and functional.
The opening of this centre addresses a long-standing need for a dedicated, high-throughput facility in the region. Previously, residents might have had to rely on smaller, often crowded enrolment centres at banks or post offices, which may not have offered the same range of services or convenient timings.
Boosting Digital Governance in Himachal
The establishment of this Aadhaar Seva Kendra aligns with the broader vision of Digital India and improving last-mile connectivity of government services. Aadhaar has become the cornerstone for accessing a multitude of welfare schemes, banking services, and telecom connections. Having a robust, easily accessible centre for its management is crucial for inclusive governance.
The launch event emphasized the centre's role in simplifying processes for the common man. Officials highlighted that the seven-day operation model is a citizen-centric reform aimed at reducing queues and wait times. It is expected to significantly ease the process for thousands of residents in Shimla and surrounding areas.
This initiative is likely to serve as a model for future Aadhaar Seva Kendras in other districts of Himachal Pradesh. As the state continues to integrate technology into administration, such infrastructure developments are key to ensuring no citizen is left behind in the digital ecosystem.
The inauguration of the Kasumpti centre is a clear signal of the state's commitment to leveraging technology for public good. By providing a dedicated, weekly operational facility for Aadhaar services, the Himachal Pradesh government and UIDAI have taken a concrete step toward more responsive and accessible public service delivery.
