Cabinet okays phase-V of Aadhaar project

Signalling that the Narendra Modi government was not against the Aadhaar project, the Cabinet on Wednesday flagged off the fifth phase of the Unique Identity project. The government re-approved UID Authority of India’s mandate by extending its coverage to four more states, to cover a billion people.

The Cabinet under the earlier government had extended the agency’s mandate to cover 900 million people and the four extra states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand.

According to an official, Rs 1,200 crore has been approved to meet the new target. However, the statement issued by the government did not mention approval of any funds.

The statement said UID’s target includes the numbers issued in respect of enrolments done under the National Population Register process in 12 states and Union Territories allocated to it.

“Comprehensive proposals regarding Aadhaar Sampark Kendra, information, education and communication campaigns, document management system and rent rates and taxes, etc, will be prepared by the UIDAI and a revised cost estimate submitted,” it added.

J&K hydro project
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved on Wednesday an investment of Rs 800 crore, including equity infusion of Rs 500 crore, for construction of the Pakul Dul hydro project in Jammu & Kashmir. This is the first major investment decision by the Narendra Modi government for an infrastructure project, Jan Dhan

The Cabinet also took stock of the financial inclusion drive under the new Jan Dhan Yojana, under which banks have opened 30.2 million accounts and mobilised about Rs 1,500 crore. Of these, 18.9 million accounts are in rural areas.