Letters: Aadhaar: a wonder project

Apropos the edit “Transforming transfers” (February 27), the Aadhaar scheme is the United Progressive Alliance’s wonder project and goes beyond providing an identification number to all residents. The primary objective is to ensure that the Rs 300,000 crore worth of subsidies spent every year reach the targeted beneficiaries. The task-force headed by Nandan Nilekani, chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India, has given many suggestions to meet this objective. Among other things, the creation of a network of 1,000,000 business correspondents, each equipped with a hand-held micro-ATM, is suggested. The timing of the suggestions is important since these come close to next month’s Budget announcement. The government must establish its database of beneficiaries under all its welfare schemes and link it to the Aadhaar project so that the scheme works successfully. If the project succeeds, it could transform the Indian economy and society. It may lead to a cashless economy that could solve many other problems.

Jacob Sahayam Thiruvananthapuram

Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number