PTI: GOLLAPROLU (AP), JAN 06 2013, 19:08 IST
The choice of BC is entirely up to the (DBTS) beneficiary," he pointed out.
Asked if he has obtained an Aadhar card, the Union Minister remarked, "I am not a welfare delivery system beneficiary. I don't need an Aadhar card. Aadhar enrolment should be universal for the beneficiaries (of government schemes).
"It need not be universal for entire population," Jairam Ramesh said.
Earlier, Ramesh launched the DBTS in East Godavari, which is one of the four districts in Andhra Pradesh where the scheme is being launched as part of the nationwide roll-out of DBTS in the first phase.
East Goadavari district has the distinction of achieving 99 per cent enrolment for Aadhar and as many as 43.32 lakh persons were already issued UID cards.
While launching the scheme, Ramesh paid the pension amount to Nilla Satyanarayana, a physically challenged person, using a micro ATM. The minister also paid wages using micro ATM to MGNREGP workers on the occasion.
He said a sum of Rs 3,000 crore was being distributed as wages to 55 lakh MGNREGP workers per annum in the state.
Similarly, Rs 425 crore was being given as social security pensions to 16 lakh beneficiaries.
"This amount will now come directly to the beneficiaries' hands without having to run to banks or post offices. The amounts will be distributed through business correspondents using micro ATMs," the Minister said.
Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, state Home Minister P Sabita Reddy, MPs Undavalli Arun Kumar and G Harsha Kumar, ministers, legislators and senior officials were present on the