Patiala, Nov. 13 -- After the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) flagged cases of multiple birth certificates carrying different dates of birth for the same individuals, the Punjab government has directed all district registrars-cum-civil surgeons to conduct an immediate inquiry.

In an official communication to the Punjab government, UIDAI's regional office in Chandigarh informed that during Aadhaar data verification exercises, it came to light that in a number of cases, especially in Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, and Sangrur districts, individuals were found possessing more than one birth certificates.

Terming the issue "serious and alarming," the UIDAI observed that the existence of multiple certificates for the same person could...