The task of linking several public welfare schemes sponsored by the Central and State governments with Aadhaar card will be accomplished in Chhattisgarh shortly, officials stated.
As of now, the concerned authorities have issued Aadhaar cards to around 84 per cent of the population (2.27 crore people) in the State.
To review the progress of work for linking various schemes with Aadhaar, Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand on Monday held a meeting at the Mantralaya here.
On the occasion, the Chief Secretary directed officials of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and Food Department to ensure issuance of Aadhaar card to the remaining people by December 31 this year.
Instructing officials concerned to intensify the task of linking Aadhaar with various schemes, Dhand said accomplishment of the task is going to benefit eligible beneficiaries in drawing benefit of welfare schemes and also help in curbing leakage in such schemes.
Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary instructed officials of Postal Department to ensure distribution of ‘Aadhaar Cards’ issued by UIDAI on priority.
Moreover, he also directed officials to complete the task of linking ‘Aadhaar’ being held by people entitled for government pension schemes, labourers registered under Chhattisgarh Building and Other Construction Worker’s Welfare Board and Social Security Board and labourers contributing to Provident Fund.
On the occasion, the Chief Secretary was apprised by Director (Food) S Bharathidasan that bank accounts of around 17.84 lakh lPG consumers in the Chhattisgarh have been linked with Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) while seeding of Aadhaar Cards belonging to around 60.27 lakh PDS beneficiaries, around 13 lakh MNREGA labourers, 39,000 school children receiving scholarship and 68,000 pensioners under Social Security Scheme have been completed.
Principal Secretary (Forest) R P Mandal, Principal Secretary (Technical Education) Renu Pillay, Secretary of School Education Department Subrat Sahoo and senior officials from other departments were present during the meeting.