Y.S. RANA, CHANDIGARH—Himachal Pradesh leads in Aadhaar saturation in the region comprising Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh with 96.3 per cent followed by Punjab with 93.4 per cent; Chandigarh with 93.2 per cent and Haryana remains at 4th position with 87.3 per cent. The Chandigarh Region of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) comprising Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Union Territory Chandigarh has issued 55.1 million (90.5 per cent) aadhaar number to the residents. As per Census-2011 combined population of Himachal, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh stand at 60.9 million, according to the official of the UIDAI.
The official further stated that the RO-Chandigarh covering states of Himachal, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh were among the top 13 States/UTs across the country in Aadhaar saturation.
State/UT | Population | Aadhaar Generated | % Aadhaar generated | |||
Haryana | 25323302 | 22100312 | 87.3% | |||
Chandigarh | 1054686 | 983341 | 93.2% | |||
Punjab | 27705776 | 25876285 | 93.4% | |||
Himachal | 6856509 | 6595423 | 96.2% | |||
Total | 60940273 | 55144938 | 90.5% |
According to the official spokesperson of UIDAI Regional Office Chandigarh, achievement of the Aadhaar saturation of more than 90 per cent was the result of co-ordinated effort of UIDAI region office and State Government/ UT respectively. “Credit goes to State Governments and District Administrations for this success as they have provided active efficient support to Aadhaar project and ensuring high Aadhaar saturation in their respective territories,” added the official.
The spokesperson added that to reach out to the left out population (mostly children in age group of 0-5), Regional Office was pursuing aggressive strategy in coordination with State Registrars, Health Departments, Women & Child Development Departments and District Administration. Aanganwadi wise left out children have been identified by the respective WCDs of States and UTs. Accordingly route plans have been prepared for covering the left out population of children in a targeted period.
More than 100 Aadhaar enrolment camps in past one year has been organised for marginalised residents by RO Chandigarh as a part of Social Inclusion program of UIDAI. These include almost all orphanages old age homes, leprosy areas, blind homes, child care institutions etc. It is also revealed by the official that Aadhaar enrollment of all jail inmates in the States/UT in the region has also been completed and they would be issued aadhaar cards soon.
Notably, region is also remained at top in the country for the third consecutive year in DBT payments to beneficiaries of identified schemes using APB (Aadhaar Payment Bridge). DBT schemes include Post and Pre Matric Scholarship for SC, ST and OBC, MGNREGA, NSAP, PMS and Merit cum Means for Minority etc.
Recently State of Haryana has launched a state wide program on Aadhaar linked birth registration of an infant and Aadhaar based Jeewan Parmaan facility for the State Pensioners. An enrolment kit will be deployed at each CHC/PHC on every Tuesday and Wednesday the machine will be used for enrolling the left out children at Aanganwadis.
After Jharkhand, Haryana State has started Aadhaar Enabled Bio-metric Attendance System (AEBAS). It will be implemented in phased manner and in first phase it is started in both Secretariats in Chandigarh, selected offices in Chandigarh and all District Secretaries w.e.f. 1st May 2015. UT Chandigarh has also started AEBAS for its employees.
AT GLANCE:
Himachal Pradesh and Punjab are among the top six States in Aadhaar seeding under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY).
In Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) Punjab leads with the highest Aadhaar seeding across the country for active workers database with Aadhaar seeding 96%.
Chandigarh has been selected as a pilot district for implementing Cash for Food subsidy.
During Financial Year 2014-15 cumulative APB/DBT of 387.31 Cr has been done in the four states of RO Chandigarh which is highest among all the regions.
Many innovative schemes using Aadhaar platform have been decided by the States / UT for bringing more transparency and better accountability.