The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has issued circular which states that if an individual do not have an Aadhaar number or enrolment slip, the individual would not be entitled to avail government subsidies and benefits. Last week, UIDAI had issued a circular to all central ministries and state governments.

HIGHLIGHTS
On August 11, UIDAI issued a circular to central ministries and state governments
Over 99 percent of the adults in the country were issued with an Aadhaar number
EID number or slip was needed for availing central and state government services

On 11st August the circular was issued to tighten the Aadhaar rules for those who would not have an Aadhaar number and were availing of the subsidies and advantages provided by the government.

As per the circular, if an individual requires certificates by government that were used for determining the eligibility of beneficiaries for delivery of benefits, subsidies or services under the government schemes, an individual should have an Aadhaar number. The circular even states that there has been an existing provision in section 7 of the Aadhaar Act to facilitate an individual who has not been allotted an Aadhaar number, to get the benefits, subsidies, and services 'through alternate and viable means of identification.'

The latest circular has mentioned that over 99 percent of the adults in the country have been issued with an Aadhaar number. Along with this the Aadhar has improved the quality of resident or citizen experience in getting welfare services.

According to the circular, 'Thus within the above backdrop and considering the provision to Section 7 of the Act...in case an individual has not been allotted with Aadhaar number, he or she would assign an application for enrolment and by that time Aadhaar number would be allotted to such individual, he or she would be able to avail the benefits, subsidies and services through alternate and viable means of identification along with Aadhaar Enrolment Identification (EID) number or slip.'

This means an Aadhaar Enrolment Identification (EID) number or slip would be needed for availing central and state government services, benefits and subsidies if one doesn't have an Aadhaar number till now.

Hence, UIDAI has issued one more circular on August 11 that states entities might create the Virtual Identifier (VID) optional. As UIDAI has mentioned in the circular 'some government entities might need the Aadhaar number in their several databases for smooth implementation of the welfare schemes. Therefore, such government entities might need beneficiaries to give Aadhaar numbers and created VID optional.'

Also Read: Aadhaar fraud: How to prevent it - Alankit Limited