Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011
Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: The Emirates Identity Authority (Emirates ID) has cancelled an additional 26,000 ID card applications, taking the total number of cancelled applications this month to 56,000, a top official told Gulf News.
"They were cancelled as the applicants missed two consecutive appointments [and some missed three chances] for the registration," Dr Ali Al Khoury, Director-General of Emirates ID, said.
As Gulf News reported on Sunday, Emirates ID had already cancelled 30,000 applications for the same reason this month.
Another 40,000 applicants were given a third chance as a kind gesture during the month of Ramadan.
Al Khoury said the 26,000 cancelled applications included a few applications among the 40,000 who were given a third chance but missed it too.
The exact number of cancelled applications among the 40,000 was not readily available but Al Khoury said the number was very small.
He added that the case of most of the 26,000 cancelled applications had been under the consideration of higher management and a decision had been taken recently.
The number of people missing their appointments is rising in proportion to the number of appointments made by the authority.
"These days we issue 10,000 appointments a day," Al Khoury said.
He requested applicants to meet their appointments without fail as the authority loses a huge amount of money on operational costs if an applicant does not show up.
Data amendments
Emirates ID management has reviewed the status of 17,000 applications on which the people involved are expected to visit Emirates ID offices to amend the data and fill in the missing details, according to a statement issued by the authority on Sunday.
The applications of those who do not visit the office within five weeks of receiving notification of the need to amend their data will be cancelled.
The authority's management also discussed steps recommended by a consulting agency on advanced system applications. The new web-based system assures more transparency.
Appointment changes
ID card applicants can change their appointments using an automatic system operated by the call centre, Dr Ali Al Khoury, Director-General of the Emirates Identity Authority, said.
He was responding to a complaint posted by a reader on Gulf News website. The reader complained that he could not reach both the call centre numbers of Emirates ID to request a second appointment. Dr Khoury said the applicant does not need to wait for an operator to answer when they call 04-2084949 to change an appointment.
By Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2011. All rights reserved.
