50% of state to get Aadhaar cards by year-end
TNN Jun 28, 2013, 03.21AM IST
BANGALORE: Nearly half of Karnataka's population will have Aadhaar cards by this year-end and more people can avail of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), chief minister Siddaramaiah said on Thursday at the inauguration of the model Aadhaar enrollment centre in Malleswaram. He later said at another function they are targeting 100% Aadhaar coverage in the state by March next.
"The focus will be on the vulnerable section. We'll ensure that the poor and under-privileged get Aadhaar cards. About 50% of the state population has already enrolled for it and 36% have already received it. By the end of this year, all those who have enrolled will receive the card," said Siddaramaiah
Talking about DBT, chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) Nandan Nilekani said, "DBT is working fine and under the scheme, a payment of Rs 10 lakh has been already made in Karnataka."
Speaking on the sidelines of launch of UID Data centre development activities off Bellary Road later, Siddharamaiah said linking Aadhaar to Rs 1 per kg rice scheme would go a long way in ensuring the benefits under the scheme actually beneficiaries in the coming days.
"We have around 99 lakh BPL card holders in the state. We all know that not all of them are deserving beneficiaries. We want Aadhaar enrolment to be speeded up in the state so that it can be a platform to identify deserving beneficiaries in such circumstances," he added.
The CM said the government is planning to ensure that by March next year, Aadhaar reaches everybody in state.
UIDAI deputy director general Ashok Dalwai said the data centre in Bangalore is unique and it would store biometric and demographic data of people enrolled under Aadhaar throughout the country.
"The centre being developed in 3 acres 14 hunts land is estimated to cost Rs 118 crore. The centre with state of the art security features to Aadhar data will also play a big role in Aadhaar related software development. The centre is expected to begin functioning from March 2014," he added.
When questioned about what scheme will be linked with Aadhar after LPG benefit transfer, UIDAI head Nandan Nilekani said LPG itself would take lot of time to implement and other schemes would be taken up gradually.
Even though the construction of data centre began few months, the ritual of foundation laying was pending as there was election code of conduct during assembly polls. The same was completed on Thursday.
To speed up enrolment, the government has come up with a number of enrolment and service centres across the city. Model Aadhaar enrolment centres, appointment-based enrolment centres, call centres for information on enrolment, e-Aadhaar service through Bangalore One and Karnataka One centres and special enrolment drive for vulnerable sections of society are some steps taken in this regard.
To know more about Aadhaar, citizens can call 080-44554499 and 9243700100. If you're heading to an appointment-based enrolment centre, login to to book an appointment.
Model Aadhaar enrolment centres
* Rotary conference hall, 13{+t}{+h} cross Malleswaram
* Ravindra Kalakshetra
* BBMP ward office, Rajarajeshwarinagar
* Balakrishna Rangamandira, Rajarajeshwarinagar
* Vivekananda Rangamandira, Jayanagar
* BBMP ward office, Begur Road, Bommanahalli
* BBMP ward office Rajajinagar
* BBMP ward office, Bagalkunte
* BBMP ward office, Netaji Circle, Mattikere
* Mayo Hall
Appointment-based enrolment centres
* PUC Board 18{+t}{+h} Cross, Malleswaram
* BBMP office, Hudson circle
* Hockey Stadium, Nanjappa Circle, Shantinagar
* Kanteerava Stadium, Kasturba Road
* Synthesis, Electronic City
* Rammandir, Rajajinagar
* Kabaddi Stadium, Vidyapeeta Circle