Pressure groups who are opposing the Aadhaar scheme must be anti-poor since the scheme is meant to facilitate the transfer of subsidies directly to the bank account of the Aadhaar Card holders who are also the poorest (BPL category) So no Aadhaar card means no transfer of subsidy. The Aadhaar scheme was launched in 2009 to give a universal identity to every resident Indian. That the Narendra Modi Government has found this scheme initiated during the UPA regime, worth pursuing also means that the present government sees its positive aspects. Direct transfer of LPG subsidy will very soon be made applicable only to those having the 12 digit individual identification number on the Aadhaar card. Even when opening the Jan Dhan Yojna account which benefits the poorest, the Aadhaar card will be made mandatory. The Jan Dhan Yojna has several benefits such as the RuPay card (an ATM card for money withdrawal), a zero balance savings account, life and accident insurance and many other cash transfers which will reduce corruption and eliminate middlemen from the system.
From March 2015, in most states, the Aadhaar card UIDAI number has been linked to the voter ID to eliminate bogus voters. Once an Aadhaar number is linked, it is impossible for a multiple voter ID card holder to use it illegally because registration requires the voter card holder to be physically present and produce the Aadhaar card to the polling booth officer for linking.
Now all pensioners must register their Aadhaar card number to their respective departments in order to receive monthly pension. This move was initiated as there have been fraudulent incidents where beneficiaries seeking pension were found to be fake. Similarly, provident fund money will also be given to the account holders who have registered their Aadhaar number with employee provident fund organization (EPFO). The Aadhaar linked Digital Life Certificate is another initiative which was launched by Department of Electronics and IT. Named as “Jeevan Praman for Pensioners”, this system will put an end to the process where the pensioner had to be physically present at the Pension Disbursing Agency to prove that he/she is alive. Instead all the details of the pensioner will be accessed digitally by the agency. There are other benefits as well such as getting a passport in 10 days if one has an Aadhaar Card since police verification will be done later. Under the Modi government’s new rule if one needs a passport the Aadhaar number is compulsory.
Considering the increasing acceptance of Aadhaar card across the country and also its importance in getting cash transfers directly to the poor, it is puzzling as to why there is a fear psychosis about accepting this scheme here. Moreover, no pressure group can legitimately appropriate the voice of the people. Those who stand to lose the most, namely the poor could approach the court of law to redress their grievances since the Government has been dilly-dallying and does not seem to have the political will to get on with the scheme.
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