Questions abound over readiness in Mysore

With hardly 24 hours left, the district administration was working frantically round the clock to give a final shape for the launch of the Government of India’s Aadhar-based cash transfer through banks to beneficiaries in Mysore.

The government had set January 1, 2013, for the launch of its ambitious scheme in 51 districts in the country in the first phase, covering 34 schemes, 24 of which relate to direct cash transfer of scholarships under the different ministries.

When Business Standard spoke to the district administration this morning, officials were not certain if it would be launched tomorrow. “We are waiting for the green signal,” they said, expecting a decision by late Monday evening.

Mysore is among the districts chosen by the Centre, Dharwad and Tumkur being the other two in Karnataka.

A cut off of 70 per cent Aadhar seeding and 90 per cent bank account coverage of the beneficiaries is set for a scheme for launch. By this morning, 13 schemes had fallen under the cut-off and officials were busy updating data almost every minute.

“The Chief Secretary yesterday held video conferencing with the district administration and may review the status on Monday too, before a green signal,” a senior official said.

Explaining how officials were working relentlessly day and night, another official said, “They are working restlessly to meet the deadline. Time is short. They are facing heavy work pressure to meet the target date.”

Though a couple of schemes are finalised, there could be a week or a forntight’s “difference” in the launch, it was indicated.

“Once it is announced, the process of cash transfer through banks to the beneficiaries has to begin simultaneously. Otherwise, it would create problems. This needs to be ensured cent per cent before launch,” he remarked.

Aadhar-based cash transfer on LPG is also unlikely to be launched tomorrow as issues like the number of cylinders set at six now are to be sorted out by the Centre. This may probably take shape by December 2013. The state government’s schemes have also been proposed to be included under cash transfer, sources indicated.

Among the schemes ready for launch are (figures respectively show number of beneficiaries, UID collected, bank accounts opened): Union Ministry of Labour & Employment: Stipend to children in special schools under child labour project: 111 - 108 - 110.

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: Post-matric scholarship for SC students: 6,800 - 5,700 - 6,800. Pre-matric scholarship for SC students: 11,984 - 9,842 - 11,984. Pre-matric scholarship for children of those engaged in unclean operations: 921 - 843 - 638.

HRD Ministry Higher Education Dept: UGC fellowship schemes: 101 - 95 - 98. School Education & Literary: National means-cum-merit scholarship: 515 - 486 - 515.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs: Post-matric scholarship scheme: 2475 - 2,436 - 1,800. Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship: 126 - 77 - 125. Ministry of Minority Affairs: Mertic-cum-means scholarship: 115 - 110 - 115. Merit scholarship scheme: 923 - 653 - 923. Maulana Azad national fellowship: 5 - 5 - 5.

As data was still flowing in, another 2-3 schemes are expected to be ready by late this evening. Once these are finalised, the total number of beneficiaries may reach around 30,000 in the district.