UID - Aadhar

What have been the major achievements of the UIDAI in the North so far?
Across India, the authority has completed its mandate of 20 crore enrolments, and almost 18 crore unique identity numbers have been issued. In this region, we have seen the maximum enrolments in Punjab, where 1.05 crore people have been enrolled. However, the highest percentage covered is in Himachal Pradesh, where 57 per cent of the population (39 lakh persons) has been enrolled. We were lagging in Haryana because the Public Distribution System smart card has been linked there with Aadhar. But now it is picking up there too. Besides enrolling such huge numbers, we have also started authentication services.

What is biggest challenge?

It is to make Aadhar socially inclusive, which means we are trying to enrol all underprivileged sections — be it the specially abled or the vast floating populations. While special enrolment camps are being organised with the help of NGOs, we have also come up with a system of “introducers”, who can introduce people who do not have any proof of identity for getting the card. There is also a mechanism for introducer verification

How are you encouraging people to come for enrolment?

We are now launching a massive awareness campaign. Radio jingles, stalls at local melas, streets plays and other popular forms of media are being used to ensure 100 per cent enrolment.

What are the benefits of getting a UID?

Besides financial inclusion, the Aadhar-enabled payment systems will include giving away scholarships, payments under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), social security pensions, and PDS deliveries. The biggest achievement is eliminating duplication and fakes. About Rs 40,000 crore is being spent on the NREGS and more than Rs 3 lakh crore on subsidies and other social benefits. If we can check pilferage in this with Aadhar’s help, it will be a tremendous saving. An Aadhar-linked pilot project on direct transfer of subsidy for kerosene in Rajasthan has been a great success. In this region, 10 districts will undertake similar pilot projects following the Union Finance Minister’s announcement. In Himachal, the UID will soon be used for registration of property.