Allot Aadhaar numbers by March 31, Revenue Dept. told

With the Aadhaar numbers still to be given to 6 per cent of the population, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Friday reviewed the implementation of the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme which is being carried out on its basis and directed the Divisional Commissioner to complete the enrolment process by March 31.

Chairing a high level meeting, which was also attended by Food and Supplies Minister Haroon Yusuf, Chief Secretary D.M. Spolia, Chairman (UIDAI) Nandan Nilekani and Divisional Commissioner Dharam Pal, the Chief Minister said stressed the need to complete the exercise to ensure the benefit under the benefit transfer scheme to all the beneficiaries.

Ms. Dikshit also exhorted people to get themselves enrolled at offices of Divisional Commissioner, Sub Divisional Magistrates and at the Gender Resource Centres and Electors Photo Identity Card centres as Aadhar number were going to become essential for availing benefit under various social sector schemes of the Delhi Government.

Benefit of schemes

The Chief Minister cautioned that people not having Aadhaar number would not be able to avail of the benefits under various government schemes.

In the meeting, the implementation of nine Centrally-sponsored schemes under Aadhaar-based direct cash transfer mode were also discussed.

As these schemes had been launched in just two districts on January 1, Ms. Dikshit directed the Revenue Department to extend their implementation to all the 11 revenue districts.

The issue of opening of no-frill bank accounts was also discussed in the meeting. The bank representatives were asked to open such accounts without making much demands. They were even told not to insist on residence proof along with Aadhaar number for them. It was stated that Aadhaar number alone is sufficient for such proof.