Did not ask phone makers, service providers to add toll free number, says UIDAI

In the wake of a new controversy regarding the placement of an invalid toll free number 1800-300-1947 in the contact list of phones, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) clarified on Twitter saying it had not asked any manufacturer or service provider to add the contact to phones.

The UIDAI emphasised that 1800-300-1947 is not a valid toll free number and that it was changed to 1947 two years ago, and blamed vested interests for trying to create confusion.

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) said the inclusion of "a certain unknown number" in the phonebooks of various mobile handsets is not from any telecom service provider.