Introduction
In a recent address to a 'Rozgar Mela' via video conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the digital transformation in India, emphasizing the significant role played by Aadhaar cards, digital lockers, and eKYC in simplifying governance. According to PM Modi, the technological evolution in the last nine years has showcased how advancements can streamline administrative processes, reducing complexities associated with documentation.
Government's Digital Milestone and Moody's Concerns
PM Modi's statement coincides with a period during which Moody's Investors Service expressed reservations regarding the reliability of Aadhaar, particularly raising concerns about the efficacy of biometric technology in India's hot and humid climate. The agency also highlighted instances where Aadhaar usage resulted in service denials, casting doubts on the security and privacy safeguards of the system.
In response, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) vehemently refuted Moody's assertions, underscoring the lack of substantial evidence to support the allegations. The agency emphasized that Aadhaar has been utilized by over a billion Indians for self-authentication, with a cumulative total exceeding 100 billion instances over the past decade and has received positive feedback from world bodies like the IMF and the World Bank.
Both UIDAI and Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the Aadhaar system incorporates multiple authentication methods, such as facial and iris recognition, in addition to fingerprinting. Furthermore, they noted that one-time passwords (OTP) delivered via mobile phones serve as an additional layer of security for numerous services, offering a fail-safe mechanism.
Financial Inclusion and G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) Report
Citing a G20 GPFI report, the government emphasized Aadhaar's role in increasing the ownership of transaction accounts among Indian adults, accelerating a process that could have taken decades. The UIDAI and the Ministry of Electronics & IT dismissed Moody's claims as baseless, underscoring the widespread trust in Aadhaar and its positive impact on governance.
Aadhaar's Integral Role in Government Processes
The article explores how Aadhaar has become an integral part of government processes, particularly in social welfare schemes targeting the poor and vulnerable. Aadhaar's use streamlines the delivery of welfare schemes, ensuring transparency and efficiency by serving as a single, reliable identity document.
Benefits of Aadhaar for Governments and Service Agencies
UIDAI issues Aadhaar numbers to residents only after de-duplicating their demographic and biometric attributes against its entire database. Aadhaar seeding facilitates the removal of duplicates in various schemes, resulting in substantial savings for the government exchequer. Additionally, it provides the government with precise data on beneficiaries, enabling the implementation of direct benefit transfer (DBT) programs. Aadhaar authentication empowers implementing agencies to verify beneficiaries during service or benefits delivery, ensuring the targeted delivery of benefits.
These activities contribute to:
Curbing Leakages through Targeted Delivery: Social welfare programs requiring beneficiary confirmation before service delivery stand to benefit significantly from UIDAI's authentication services. This approach helps curb leakages, ensuring that services reach only the intended beneficiaries. Examples include subsidized food and kerosene delivery to Public Distribution System (PDS) beneficiaries, as well as worksite attendance tracking for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) beneficiaries.
Improving Efficiency and Efficacy: With the Aadhaar platform providing accurate and transparent information about the service delivery mechanism, the government can enhance disbursement systems and utilize scarce development funds more effectively and efficiently.
Benefits of Aadhaar for Residents
Several significant advantages of Aadhaar for residents include:
Unique Identification: The assignment of a single Aadhaar number to each resident ensures the elimination of duplicate entries in government databases, thanks to its link with biometric information.
Portability and Convenience: Aadhaar is highly portable, allowing residents to maintain it as a soft copy for easy verification. Additionally, agents can access the UIDAI database from any location for authentication purposes.
Self-Service Features: Aadhaar provides a self-service facility, enhancing security for mobile banking and payments through two-factor authentication mechanisms.
Universal Acceptance: The Aadhaar card serves as a universally accepted document, functioning as proof of identity, address, and age, streamlining various administrative processes.
Greater access to Government Schemes: Economically disadvantaged residents of the country can leverage the Aadhaar card to access a multitude of government schemes, fostering inclusivity and ensuring that benefits reach those who need them most.
Role of Aadhaar in Government Processes
Aadhar provides a gateway to numerous government programs and benefits, offering a streamlined and efficient means of availing various services. Some of the programs or benefits that can be accessed using Aadhar include:
Healthcare
Janashree Bima Yojana
Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana
Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana
Employment
Indira Awas Yojana
Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana
Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Program
Food and Nutrition
Public Distribution System
Mid Day Meals
Integrated Child Development Scheme
Access to subsidized food and essentials through Aadhar linkage
Education
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)
Social Security
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme
Janani Suraksha Yojana
Development of Primitive Vulnerable Tribal Groups
Other Benefits of Aadhaar Card
Other benefits of having an Aadhar card include:
Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA): ABHA is a 14-digit number designed to link health records, authenticate, and identify patients by connecting it with Aadhar. This unique identifier streamlines health-related activities, providing a centralized system for managing patient information.
Driving License: Linking Aadhar with a driving license contributes to preventing the issuance of multiple licenses to a single individual. This measure enhances accuracy and reliability in maintaining driving records, promoting safer road practices.
SEBI Approval: Aadhar is now accepted as proof of address and identity by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). This recognition is particularly beneficial for individuals wishing to invest in the stock market, simplifying the documentation process for financial transactions.
Mobile Number: New mobile numbers require Aadhar linking, and existing mobile subscribers, both prepaid and postpaid users, need to link their Aadhar to their mobile numbers. This linkage enhances security measures for mobile services and ensures accurate user identification.
IRCTC Ticket Booking: Users verified with Aadhar can enjoy the privilege of booking up to 12 tickets in a month on the IRCTC website. This provision aims to streamline the ticket booking process and reduce misuse. Individuals who have not verified themselves using Aadhar are allowed a maximum of 8 tickets per month.
Passport Issuance: Aadhar number is now a mandatory requirement for obtaining a passport as per the new government rule. This ensures quicker processing of passport applications, with passport issuance promised within ten days. The flexibility of conducting police verification later enhances the efficiency of the passport issuance process.
Voter Card Linking: Linking an Aadhar card with a voter ID is a crucial step in preventing individuals from holding multiple voter ID cards. This initiative contributes to maintaining accurate and transparent electoral records, thereby promoting the integrity of the democratic process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Aadhaar stands as a transformative force in India's governance landscape, playing a pivotal role in enhancing citizen services, ensuring financial inclusion, and streamlining government processes. Despite external concerns, the widespread acceptance and positive impact of Aadhaar on the lives of Indian citizens cannot be overstated.
As the country continues its digital evolution, Aadhaar remains a cornerstone in fostering transparent, accessible, and efficient governance. The multifaceted benefits of Aadhaar, from preventing fraud in government schemes to simplifying everyday processes for citizens, highlight its indispensable role in India's journey towards a digitally empowered nation.
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