Bhubaneswar: The ministry of housing and urban affairs has made Aadhaar mandatory for individual household latrines.

In its latest directive to the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, the ministry has said: "It has been made mandatory for applicants to submit either Aadhaar Card details or Aadhaar Enrolment Slip while applying for Individual Household Latrines under Swachh Bharat Mission." It has asked the civic body to collect Aadhaar details from existing and new beneficiaries and accordingly correct names in the applications by January 20.

Officials said the move would remove discrepancy and duplicity. "With Aadhaar, we will be able to avoid duplicate entries. Moreover, money will be debited to the beneficiary's account without error," said a housing and urban development official. However, the decision has caused uproar among residents of Bhubaneswar. "There is a limit for everything, and it is going beyond extent with Aadhaar," said Kedarpalli Basti resident Shanti Lata.

Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said: "Our officials will revisit the places and collect Aadhaar details. We will try to complete the task on time."