To avail benefits and services of welfare schemes run by State Government, Aadhaar authentication would be mandatory henceforth.
Based on the order of the Finance Department, all departments are now preparing to issue notifications in this regard, said sources.
Earlier, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) had issued an official circular that Governments can adopt Aadhaar authentication for transparency and easing the process of production of multiple documents to prove one’s identity. Aadhaar authentication is mandated for the beneficiaries Under Section 7 of the Aadhar Act, 2016 in those Schemes, which are partly or fully funded out of Consolidated Fund of the State.
In the meantime, various Ministries and Departments of the Union Government have notified the schemes and services funded from the Consolidated Fund of India requiring Aadhaa verification.
Earlier, the State Government had not insised on Aadhaar authentication for people to avail benefits from various pro-poor schemes. However, now the State Government has made it mandatory.
Each department will now identify schemes for use of Aadhaar authentication. Then the identified schemes would require legal clearance of the Law Department for notifying the same, said an official.
In Odisha, Aadhaar enrolment has covered more than 93 per cent against all India average of 90 per cent.
Available statistics shows out of projected 4.58 crore population by 2019, 4.41 crore Aadhaar numbers have been generated in the age group of 18 years and above, which is 93.1 per cent of the projected population.
Besides, the Government has also decided to open Aadhaar Facilitation Centres at Urban Local Bodies and Hospitals, for which the Electronics and Information Technology Department has started works.
The Government has also decided to involve schools and Anganwadi Centres for registration of Aadhaar enrolment of the children. These steps would expedite the process of Aadhaar enrolment in the State, said officials.