Govt wants to use technology to curb dishonesty: PM

Speaking at the launch of Aadhar-enabled Service Delivery system, he said the unique identity numbers will help 1.5 crore students get scholarships, two crore elderly get old age pensions, three crore to avail health insurance and five crore people get the benefits of MNREGA.

The scheme is aimed at directly transferring cash to beneficiaries under social schemes such as MNREGA and pension.

"By giving benefits directly to the needy, complaints of dishonesty and delay will reduce," Singh said at a function where he handed over Aadhar number '21 crore' to a villager here.

"Our government wants to use new technology in a big way to curb dishonesty and bring transparency in governance. Aadhar is a important step in this direction," he said.

In the past two years, he said, the government has enrolled 24 crore people for Aadhar and "we expect to give Aadhar cards to around 60 crore by 2014".

Addressing the function, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi said the Aadhar scheme gives identity to the common man and is a tool to claim benefits.

Using the Aadhar card, she said, the common man can claim his rights anywhere in the country.

"The Aadhar card will help the government in ensuring that subsidy reaches its intended beneficiaries directly and the poor will not have to run from pillar to post to claim their rights," she said.