No one besides beneficiary will enjoy benefits: Naidu on Aadhar cards

Union Minister for Urban Development and Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu today issued a statement which said the use of Aadhar Card will remove bogus and duplicates and ensure that benefits that are meant for beneficiary is only enjoyed by him and not cornered away by others.

"This will ensure that that no genuine and deserving beneficiary is denied of his entitlements. Use of Aadhar will eliminate corruption; ensure hassle-free and faster and direct delivery of benefits into bank account, or in kind, without any intermediaries and diversions. Use of Aadhar will also remove bogus and duplicates and ensure that benefits that are meant for beneficiary is only enjoyed by him and not cornered away by others. The departments may consider including this clarification in their scheme guidelines/instructions and advise state governments and their agencies accordingly," the statement said.

The Union Minister in his statement said that as of now, more than 103 people have Aadhar and so far as coverage of Aadhar among adults are concerned, 97 percent of them have Aadhar.

"However, there could be some areas in our country such as Assam, Meghalaya etc where people may not have got Aadhar as yet. Therefore, Ministries/ Departments/Agencies/ state governments that are implementing govt welfare schemes are using or proposing to use Aadhar for benefit or service delivery are requested to take proactive steps to facilitate and ensure Aadhar enrolment of their beneficiaries who are not having Aadhar until it is assigned to such beneficiaries the benefits should not be denied to him and instead be given to alternate and viable means of identification as provided in section 7 of Aadhar act," the statement added.

The statement further said with reference to the discussion in the Rajya Sabha the members have brought to notice that Aadhar card is being made mandatory for availing government benefits like subsidise LPG, PDS supplies and pension.

"Taking note of the concerned raised by the members, Naidu while assuring the members that the government had taken note of the concerned raised, stated that no one will be denied of benefits for want of Aadhar and that necessary instruction will be issued, if required," it added.

The statement also noted that all Ministries, Dept., Agencies may take note that individuals who do not have Aadhar are not put to any hardships by way of denial of subsidy, benefit or service.

"An individual who has not been assigned an Aadhar number, shall be enrolled for Aadhar and offered alternate and viable means of identification for receipt of subsidy, benefits or services till Aadhar number is assigned to him," it added.