AMN
TEMBHLI (Maharashtra): Rajana Sonawane, a tribal lady has become first Indian to hold the first Unique ID. Her 12 digit number 782474317884 has become her Identity for her whole life. From now on every Indian would be provided with this unique card.
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The ambitious Unique Identification programme was launched jointly by the Prime Minister Dr Manomhan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi today by handing over the Aadhar Identity Numbers to ten Adivasis from the tribal hamlet here on Wednesday.
Praising the programme both the prime minister and UPA chairperson said that the card would enable the poor and weaker sections of society to get the benefit of various government schemes.
The Prime Minister said the poor did not have any identity proof. Due to this shortcoming, they could not open bank accounts or get ration cards. Now the scheme will help them avail the benefits of government welfare programmes which many a times are pocketed by others.
Expressing similar sentiments Sonia Gandhi said identification numbers will help plug the loopholes in the Public Distribution System and make the delivery of various schemes more transparent. She said that the problem of fake ration cards will also end with this scheme.
Dr. Manmohan Singh will allocate forest lands and formally distribute the quota of foodgrains and oil pumps and PVC pipes to the beneficiaries under the subsidy schemes during the second leg of the function at the same venue.
Besides availing of the benefits of the welfare schemes, Aadhar will help banking or transfer of money by cell phone to pay cab driver, grocer or shopkeepers. Mobile companies issuing about 15 million SIM cards can use Aadhar for identification. Aadhar will also help in better functioning of Public distribution system, Rural Employment Guarentee and other schemes. The ambitious scheme will also help in streamlining the PDS system and routing out corruption in other schemes that are meant to benefit the poor and disadvantaged. About 60 crore people will get the number by 2014.
Both the prime minister and UPA chairperson praised Nandan Nilekani, who is in charge of the project. Singh said Nilekani has rolled out the first set of numbers in a short span of time available to him. Gandhi said Nilekani and his team deserved appreciation for work on the project.