Plastic or PVC Aadhaar card is non-usable as it makes the QR code dysfunctional: UIDAI

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) in a statement said that plastic or PVC Aadhaar card is non-usable since it renders the QR code dysfunctional. This comes after the UIDAI had said that it would introduce a virtual ID  for Aadhaar cards. [caption id=“attachment_4331399” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. CNN-News18[/caption] It also said that a copy of Aadhaar card obtained from the Aadhaar letter or downloaded from the UIDAI website or the mAadhaar app is a valid copy. According to the UIDAI, the term smart card is a misnomer for laminated Aadhaar cards, something that is usually done by vendors. These vendors charge Rs 50 to Rs 300 for lamination. UIDAI has urged people to stay away from such vendors as it puts their Aadhaar information at risk. In a statement, the UIDAI CEO, Dr Ajay Bhushan Pandey said, “So-called Aadhaar smart card is totally unnecessary and a waste as during such printing its QR code often becomes dysfunctional. The Aadhaar card or the downloaded Aadhaar card printed on ordinary paper or mAadhaar is perfectly valid for all kind of uses.”

Plastic or PVC Aadhaar Smart Card is not usable: UIDAI https://t.co/7W022FxPDd

— Aadhaar (@UIDAI) February 6, 2018

He further added, “If a person has a paper Aadhaar card, there is absolutely no need to get his/her Aadhaar card laminated or obtain a plastic Aadhaar card or so-called smart Aadhaar card by paying money. There is no concept such as smart or plastic Aadhaar card.” The UIDAI said that even a black and white printed version of the Aadhaar card duly downloaded from the UIDAI website is valid. UIDAI also warned unauthorised agencies from collecting Aadhaar information as it is a punishable offence. In the statement, it also recommended people not to share their information in order to get it laminated or printed. This comes at a time when the Supreme court is **hearing petitions** regarding the Aadhaar card.