Aadhaar must to get welfare pensions?

Many people fail to get cards despite photographed two to three times. And, Aadhaar Deputy Director General Rami Reddy in a recent review said, "Linking of the Aadhaar is necessary to avail scholarships, pensions, etc."

The Aadhaar cards issue is back again. The pensioners under various welfare schemes may not get their pension if they don’t have the Aadhaar card by August. And, also there is a talk among gas dealers that the Central government is likely to make Aadhaar linkage compulsory for subsidised gas supply.

Their fears gain credence as the State government has set target to complete linking of Aadhaar cards for pensions and MNREGS job card and ration cards etc before August 15.

And, Aadhaar Deputy Director General Rami Reddy in a recent review said, “Linking of the Aadhaar is necessary to avail scholarships, pensions, etc.”

The pensioners are in a tizzy as they got their pensions in July with a condition that they should possess Aadhaar card by August. “The card was not delivered at my doorstep as stated by the government. I had to spend Rs.150 at internet centre to download the card,” says 55-year old Ramathulasamma, a resident of Payakapuram.

There are many more pensioners who fall in that category. Many people did not receive their cards though they got photographed two to three times. The unique identification (UID) numbers were not generated, says CPI (M) city secretary Ch. Babu Rao.

Permanent centres

Joint Collector J. Murali, who is additional director of Aadhaar, said that 92.4 per cent population in the district was covered under Aadhaar. As many as 43,83,120 people have enrolled their names for Aadhaar cards, while cards were generated for 41,68,086 people.

Remaining cases were rejected on technical grounds, he said, adding, the government, however, opened permanent centres for re-enrolment.

Aadhaar Administrative Officer Srilakshmi said that as many as 55 permanent Designated Photography Location (DPL) centres across the district. And, 10 more centres would be opened shortly. Of this, 20 are located in urban areas, including Vijayawada city. Remaining centres are in rural areas.

There are 11,94,854 ration cards, including Antoydaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cards. In Vijayawada city alone there are 2.10 lakh white ration cards.

There are about 30,000 pensioners in the city. While old age and widow pensioners get Rs. 200 per month, physically challenged get Rs. 200 to Rs. 500 (depending upon percentage of disability)