Bank Aadhaar Kendras must be established in bank premises: File photoNew Delhi: Only about 2,300 branches of private and public sector banks have opened Aadhaar enrollment and updation centers within their premises as against the targeted 15,300 branches by this month end, an official source said today.
The Aadhaar-issuing body has already extended by a month, till October 31, the deadline for banks to open Aadhaar enrollment and updation centers in at least 10 percent or over 15,000 of their branches. This is the second extension given to the banks for opening such centers.
"The September 31 deadline that was given to the banks had been extended by one more month to October 31," the source told PTI.
According to UIDAI stipulation, 43 private and public sector banks have to open Aadhaar enrollment and updation centres in 15,315 branches. Against this, as per latest data, enrollment centers have been opened in 2,305 branches so far.
The source said, State Bank of India has started Aadhaar enrollment centers in 356 of the required 2,918 branches, while Syndicate Bank has opened these centers in 245 of the targeted 840 branches. Dena Bank has opened 194 enrollment centers as against 339 identified branches.
Among the private sector banks, HDFC bank has opened 74 centers as against 403 branches identified, while ICICI Bank has done it in 59 branches against 485 targeted branches. Also Axis Bank has opened 61 enrollment centers as against 337 branches identified.
While Punjab National Bank has to open enrollment centers in 1,132 branches, it has not yet started any. UCO Bank and Vijaya Bank have opened 12 and 19 such centers respectively, against the targeted 380 and 213 bank branches that are required to have the facility.
The Bank Aadhaar Kendras are being set up with a view to make the Aadhaar verification process of bank accounts convenient for the people, and also to have more Aadhaar centers across the country.
Banks without Aadhaar enrollment centers in 10 percent of their branches will face Rs 20,000 fine (per uncovered branch) after October 31.
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