Notwithstanding the Central government’s directive to get an electronically generated unique identification number (UID) by all firearm licensees before October 15, less than 50 per cent licensees have come forward to get this number in Sirmaur district.
Less than 5,000 of about 10,000 arms licence holders of Sirmaur have obtained the UID since the campaign was initiated in July. Those failing to obtain the UID would face cancellation of their licence and their arms would be declared illegal.
Since the data of UIDs is supposed to be integrated with the National Data of Arms Licences (NDAL) by October 15, the district administration is endeavouring to educate licensees about the need to obtain this number.
Deputy Commissioner BC Badalia today directed all arms licensees to come forward and get the UID at the earliest, failing which their arm licences would be cancelled and their arms declared illegal.
He said since the electronically assembly data had to be integrated with the NDAL within the stipulated time and the licensees should abide by the directions.
Though earlier UIDs were being provided only at the district headquarters in Nahan, given the tough geographical conditions of backward areas of the district, Subdivisional Magistrates of Paonta Sahib and Rajgarh had been provided user IDs in the online portal to facilitate people at the subdivision level.
The process had, however, been marred by lack of quality Internet connectivity. There was a poor response from subdivisions in bringing arms licensees into the UID fold, revealed an official.
A majority of licences had been issued for crop protection and the remaining for self-defence. Since a large number of licences had not been renewed after expiry, the completion of this task would make available the number of licence holders in the district. Each licensee can possess two arms under one licence.
In Solan district, the situation was considerably better with nearly 3,200 of about 3,400 licensees getting UIDs, said Additional District Magistrate Sandeep Negi. He was hopeful that more licensees would come forward to obtain UIDs before the stipulated date of October 15.
The Union Home Ministry had directed all Deputy Commissioners to put on hold the process of granting fresh arms licences till the UID process was completed.
Less than 5,000 of about 10,000 arms licence holders of Sirmaur have obtained the UID since the campaign was initiated in July. Those failing to obtain the UID would face cancellation of their licence and their arms would be declared illegal.
Since the data of UIDs is supposed to be integrated with the National Data of Arms Licences (NDAL) by October 15, the district administration is endeavouring to educate licensees about the need to obtain this number.
Deputy Commissioner BC Badalia today directed all arms licensees to come forward and get the UID at the earliest, failing which their arm licences would be cancelled and their arms declared illegal.
He said since the electronically assembly data had to be integrated with the NDAL within the stipulated time and the licensees should abide by the directions.
Though earlier UIDs were being provided only at the district headquarters in Nahan, given the tough geographical conditions of backward areas of the district, Subdivisional Magistrates of Paonta Sahib and Rajgarh had been provided user IDs in the online portal to facilitate people at the subdivision level.
The process had, however, been marred by lack of quality Internet connectivity. There was a poor response from subdivisions in bringing arms licensees into the UID fold, revealed an official.
A majority of licences had been issued for crop protection and the remaining for self-defence. Since a large number of licences had not been renewed after expiry, the completion of this task would make available the number of licence holders in the district. Each licensee can possess two arms under one licence.
In Solan district, the situation was considerably better with nearly 3,200 of about 3,400 licensees getting UIDs, said Additional District Magistrate Sandeep Negi. He was hopeful that more licensees would come forward to obtain UIDs before the stipulated date of October 15.
The Union Home Ministry had directed all Deputy Commissioners to put on hold the process of granting fresh arms licences till the UID process was completed.
