TNN | Nov 14, 2014, 04.21AM IST
AURANGABAD: The state government is all set provide Aadhaar cards to orphans in a 45-day campaign to be launched in Beed on Friday, Children's Day, by rural development minister Pankaja Munde-Palve. Munde made the announcement about the campaign while inaugurating a regional exhibition in the city on Thursday.
The minister said the initiative would help orphans avail of various state and central government schemes. "The Aadhaar card is an important document that is required in order to procure a ration card, driving licence and passport. But these orphans are often unable to get Aadhaar cards made, which makes it difficult for them to procure other essential documents in future," Munde said.
Elaborating further, Beed district collector Naval Kishore Ram said the state women and child welfare department, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other social groups would run the campaign. "Conditions would be relaxed for the orphans as they would not be able to furnish documents as proof of age and address - essential for making the Aadhaar cards," he said.
Earlier, while inaugurating an exhibition of articles made by self-help groups (SHGs), Munde said the state government is committed to provide a marketing platform to SHGs.
She also said that the women who form the SHGs should be informed about the various financial schemes they can avail of. "They should be assisted to tap national and international markets," she said.
Munde also launched a website marketing the products prepared by the members of the self help groups.
The district administration has organized the exhibition to be held between November 13 and 19. Members of more than 270 SHGs from nine districts in Aurangabad division have put their products on display.
The event is being held at the Kasliwal Tapadia ground on Adalat road. The Aurangabad divisional commissionerate is conducting the expo under a Union government scheme called the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY).
The Aadhaar card is an important document that is required in order to procure a ration card, driving licence and passport. But these orphans are often unable to get Aadhaar cards made, which makes it difficult for them to procure other essential documents in future