Dealing with notices from UIDAI, says Airtel; shares dip nearly 1% on BSE Sensex

Key Highlights

• Clarification was sought from the telecom major after allegations that the company was using Aadhaar data to open Airtel Payments bank accounts.
• Airtel said mobile re-verification and Aadhaar were two separate transactions.
• Airtel's shares were marginally lower in the early trade session on BSE Sensex.

India’s telecom major confirmed on Friday that it is being probed by the statutory authority, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for violation of the Aadhaar Act.

“We confirm that the company is dealing with the notices received from the authority and is in the process of providing the response thereto,” Airtel said.

“We wish to clarify that the re-verification for mobile phones and the opening of Airtel Payment Bank Accounts are separate transactions and not linked,” the company added.

Clarification from the company was sought by Bombay Stock Exchange after a Times of India news report on Thursday said the operator was ‘opening Airtel Payments Bank accounts of customers surreptitiously.’

Shares of the company opened 0.67% lower at Rs 493.50 apiece on BSE Sensex. It quickly fell by 0.82% or 4.05 points to Rs 492.80 per share at 0945 hours.

Telcos change tactics to get you to link mobile with Aadhaar