New Delhi: In a breather, Bharti Airtel was on Thursday allowed to use Aadhaar for re-verification of its mobile customers till January 10 with stiff riders after it returned Rs 138-crore LPG subsidy flown into unsolicited payment bank accounts.
Taking stern action against Airtel for violating Aadhaar Act, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has asked Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Department of Telecom (DoT) to conduct an audit of the telecom giant.
However, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), maintained that Airtel Payments Bank eKYC licence will "remain suspended till final enquiry and audit report", sources said.
Sources further said that the RBI and DoT have been asked to ensure that the company is in compliance with their license conditions.
Sources further stated that Airtel would be 'temporarily' activated till January 10 if the telco giant tells its customers within 24 hours via SMS that their bank accounts linked with NPCI Aadhaar payment bridge mapper for DBT has been duly reverted from Airtel payment bank account to their previous bank accounts on the Aadhaar payment bridge mapper.
"The Airtel has been strictly told to use the e-KYC and authentication service only for the purpose of re-verification and issuance of SIM cards and not using it for obtaining the consent of the Aadhaar holder for opening bank accounts, wallet, DTH or any other goods or services," the sources said.
"Airtel case is a classic example to learn that Aadhaar eKYC authentication misuse by any corporate entity against the interest of customers is going to be dealt with very stern action," the sources said.