Aadhaar verification and ‘local reference’ now necessary for outstation telecom subscribers: DoT While issuing a new SIM, it has become mandatory for an Aadhar card holder, to provide a local reference while requesting for a new SIM. According to a press release by the Department of Telecom Ministry, it is necessary for a person who holds a Unique Identification card to provide a ‘complete local residential address’ for the location in which the SIM is required, in the Customer Acquisition Form (CAF) along with the local address, and contact number of the local reference shall be entered. The Aadhaar will not be the sole basis for identification because it does not satisfy the criterion of address proof for the outstation customer. In that case, a local reference verification is required. According to the directive, “the local reference shall be verified telephonically by the authorized agent at PoS terminal before issuance of the SIM card.” It is only after receiving affirmati...