Aadhaar number compulsory for receiving government subsidies and benefits

Aadhaar number or its enrolment slip has been made mandatory for availing government subsidies and benefits, according to a circular issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

This circular, issued on August 11, aims at tightening the Aadhaar rules for those who don't have an Aadhaar number and are availing of the subsidies and benefits.

There is an existing provision in Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, as per the circular, to facilitate a person who has not been assigned an Aadhaar number, to avail of the benefits, subsidies, and services "through alternate and viable means of identification." 

The latest circular noted that more than 99 per cent of adults in the country have been issued an Aadhaar number.

"Thus in the above backdrop and considering the proviso to Section 7 of the Act...in case no Aadhaar number has been assigned to an individual, he/she shall make an application for enrolment and till such time Aadhaar number is assigned to such individual, he/she may avail the benefits, subsidies and services through alternate and viable means of identification along with Aadhaar Enrolment Identification (EID) number/slip," the circular mentioned.

This means an Aadhaar Enrolment Identification (EID) number/slip would be required for availing central and state government services, benefits and subsidies if one does not have an Aadhaar number yet.

The circular also noted that a multitude of services and benefits are being transferred directly to the residents owing to the wide coverage of 99 per cent adults having Aadhaar identification. "Aadhaar has significantly improved the quality of resident/citizen experience in receiving welfare services," it said.