Tag Archives: Aadhaar

Jan Dhan Yojana, 1 Billion-1 Billion-1 Billion Unleashing JAM Revolution: Arun Jaitley

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Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) aimed at providing financial services to the poor included opening bank accounts for the poor, giving them electronic means of payment (via RUPAY cards), and placing them in a position to avail themselves of credit and insurance or financial inclusion, said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

The vision underlying it was to end the financial, and hence economic, digital and social exclusion faced by India’s poor. India’s poor would not only be able to overcome their economic deprivation but they would also become an integral part of the social mainstream, he said.

Three years on, the achievements have been remarkable along many dimensions, according to the finance minister.

1. Total PMJDY accounts opened increased from 12.55 crore in January 2015 to 29.52 crore as of 16th Aug 2017.

2. The number of rural accounts opened under PMJDY has grown from 7.54 crore in January 2015 to 17.64 crore as of 16th Aug 2017.

3. No. of RuPay cards issued increased from 11.08 crore in January 2015 to 22.71 crore as of 16th Aug 2017.

4. The total balance in beneficiary accounts Rs. 65,844.68 crore and the average balance per account increased from Rs. 837 in January 2015 to Rs. 2231 as of 16th Aug 2017.

5. Zero balance accounts under PMJDY declined from 76.81 % in September 2014 to 21.41 % in August 2017.

6. As of March 2014, women constituted about 28 per cent of all savings accounts, with 33.69 crore accounts. As of March 2017, according to data from top 40 banks and RRBs, women’s share has risen to about 40 per cent. This includes 14.49 crore accounts opened by women under PMJDY, out of a total of 43.65 crore women’s accounts. This represents a sizeable and rapid growth in financial inclusion of women.

In addition to financial inclusion, the government has taken steps to provide security to the poor via life insurance under the Pradhan Mantra Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and accident insurance Pradhan Mantra Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY). As on 7th August, 2017, total enrollment was 3.46 crore under the PMJJBY and 10.96 crore under PMSBY. In both schemes, close to 40 percent of the enrollees are women, noted the minister.

The entire network created by the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has also enabled implementation of the Mudra Yojana and as on 18th August 2017, Rs.3.66 lakh crore have been distributed to 8.77 crore beneficiaries. These funds have all gone into their bank accounts directly, he said.

PMJDY and the other schemes were only the first step toward achieving the “JAM” revolution, he said.

JAM, a term coined, and a vision conceptualized, by our Chief Economic Adviser, is nothing short of a social revolution because it has brought together financial inclusion (PMJDY), biometric identification (Aadhaar) and mobile telecommunications. Today, about 52.4 crore unique Aadhaar numbers are linked to 73.62 crore accounts in India.

“Just as GST created one tax, one market, one India, the PMJDY and the JAM revolution can link all Indians into one common financial, economic, and digital space. No Indian will be outside the mainstream. This is nothing short of a social revolution,” said Jaitley.

Above all, the government now makes direct transfer of Rs. 74,000 crore to the financial accounts of 35 crore beneficiaries annually, at more than Rs. 6,000 crore per month. These transfers are made under various government anti-poverty and support schemes such as PAHAL, MNREGA, old age pensions, student scholarships etc.

Now with the BHIM app and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), JAM can become fully operational. A secure and seamless digital payments infrastructure has been created so that all Indians, especially the poor can become part of the digital mainstream.

The JAM social revolution offers substantial benefits for government, the economy and especially the poor. The poor will have access to financial services and be cushioned against life’s major shocks. Government finances will be improved because of the reduced subsidy burden; at the same time, government will also be legitimized and strengthened because it can transfer resources to citizens faster and more reliably and with less leakage.

Within reach of the country is what might be called the 1 billion-1 billion-1 billion vision. That is 1 billion unique Aadhaar numbers linked to 1 billion bank accounts and 1 billion mobile phones. Once that is done, all of India can become part of the financial and digital mainstream.

 

Linking of Aadhaar with Public Distribution System (PDS)

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In pursuance of the provisions of the Section 7 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 the Department has issued a notification dated 8th February, 2017 for the use of Aadhaar as identity document for delivery of services/benefits/subsidies that simplifies the Government delivery processes, brings in transparency and efficiency and enables beneficiaries to get their entitlement directly in a convenient and seamless manner and Aadhaar obviates the need for producing multiple documents to prove one’s identity. An individual eligible to receive the subsidized food grains/Cash Transfer of Food Subsidy under NFSA and having valid Ration Cards issued by State Governments/UT Administration is required to furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication. Any new eligible beneficiary who is selected by State Governments/UT Administration for receiving subsidized food grains/Cash Transfer of Food Subsidy under NFSA is also required to furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication. All such eligible beneficiaries entitled to receive subsidized food grains/Cash Transfer of Food Subsidy under NFSA, who do not possess the Aadhaar number or, are not yet enrolled for Aadhaar, but are desirous of availing subsidized food grains/Cash Transfer of Food Subsidy under NFSA are required to make application for Aadhaar enrolment by 30th June, 2017, provided he or she is entitled to obtain Aadhaar as per Section 3 of the said Act. The said time limit has been extended upto September, 2017 which covers the people residing in remote areas like Jaisalmer and Bikaner in Rajasthan.

For effective implementation of and bringing transparency in Public Distribution System (PDS), Government is implementing a scheme on “End-to-end Computerization of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) Operations”. The component-I of the scheme comprises digitization of ration cards/beneficiary and other databases, online allocation, computerization of supply-chain management, setting up of transparency portal and grievance redressal mechanisms. Besides, Central Govt. has also asked States/UTs to opt for any of the two models of Direct Benefit Transfer – Cash transfer of food subsidy into the bank account of beneficiaries or Fair Price Shop (FPS) automation, which involves installation of Point of Sale (PoS) device at FPS, for authentication of beneficiaries and electronic capturing of transactions. The cash transfer of food subsidy is being implemented in 3 UTs namely Chandigarh, Puducherry w.e.f. 1-9-2015 and partially in Dadra & Nagar Haveli w.e.f. 1-3-2016. For remaining areas, States/UTs have been asked for Fair Price Shop (FPS) automation. So far, more than 2.45 lakh FPSs have been automated across the country.

This information was given by Shri C. R. Chaudhary, the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, today.

Aadhaar an effective instrument in removing Corruption and enabling Citizen Empowerment

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On 11th July, 2017 CSC SPV organised a workshop on “Aadhaar Services through CSC – A Unique Initiative” to showcase the impact and progress made by the Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) in delivering Aadhaar services among the poor and marginalized communities in India, through the Common Services Centres (CSCs).

Union Minister for Electronics & IT and Law Justice, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad inaugurated the event held at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. He appreciated the efforts of the enterprising VLEs in providing key services at the grassroots level.

The Hon’ Minister said, “I have great expectation from CSC VLEs. Our VLEs are change makers of India. CSCs have given employment to 10 lakh people in India. I am confident that in near future, one crore people will work in CSCs.”

Recounting the strength of VLEs in mobilizing citizens under Government campaigns, the Hon’ Minister said: “I am happy to note that the VLEs have trained 2 crore people in the Cashless India movement.” “Recently, Union Textile Minister Smt. Smriti Irani sought the support of VLEs in the expansion of handloom. All the departments of the government want to involve VLEs for their services,” he said.

He added, “Aadhaar is an effective instrument in removing corruption. We have saved Rs. 50,000 Crore by removing corruption.” He expressed the hope that the VLEs would rise to the occasion and help the government in making India corruption-free.

The Hon’ Minister was addressing around 600 VLEs from States of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh. The workshop, organised at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, also brought together senior officials from Ministry of Electronics & IT, UIDAI, Department of Fertilizers and Department of Food & Civil Supplies.

Sh. Ajay Prakash Sawhney, Secretary, MeitY, said, “CSC movement has attained a new identity under with the support from the Government and specifically from the Hon Minister. I am happy to note that CSCs have played a significant role in Aadhaar journey.” He added that AEPS is also an empowering tool that CSC VLEs are doing efficiently in India and enabling the disbursement of entitlement and pension to various citizens living in far flung areas of the country.

Dr. Ajay Bhushan Pandey, CEO, UIDAI said, “In the country, 116 Cr people have been enrolled for Aadhaar and CSC has played a big role in it. In the last 5-6 months, Aadhaar has been linked with various government services to ensure transparency and effectiveness in system. The purpose is empowerment of citizens. We need the help of VLEs to keep the momentum on Aadhaar and create awareness among the communities about its safety and usefulness in simplifying their life.”

While welcoming the participants to the workshop, Shri Dinesh Tyagi, CEO, CSC SPV said, “Aadhaar is the basis of CSC. This is our first principle. Aadhaar is a revolution that will transform the life of a common man. Our 28,000 PECs have enrolled 22 Cr Aadhaar in the country. Our VLEs are providing Aadhaar services at the doorsteps of the citizens. Through Aadhaar, our VLEs have created rural enterprises in the country.”

Enumerating the various initiatives undertaking by VLEs in providing Aadhaar services, Dr Tyagi added, “We have done 80 lakh child enrollments in the country. In schools, Aanganwadi centres, Pulse Polio booths, we have started a new tradition of child enrolment. We have initiated innovative ways of Aadhaar generation, for example, Aadhaar mela, Aadhaar-on-wheels, etc. Our VLEs have made Aadhaar for the differently abled persons that ensured pensions for them.”

On the occasion, a special publication highlighting some of the unique initiatives undertaken by CSCs through Aadhaar was also launched by the Hon’ Minister. The Hon’ Minister also inaugurated an online appointment system for Aadhaar service whereby citizens can book an appointment and visit the Aadhaar centre on the particular day.

The event was also attended by Dr. Ajay Kumar, Additional Secretary-Meity, Sh. Sanjeev Mittal, Joint Secretary-Meity, Dr. Ajay Bhushan Pandey, CEO, UIDAI, Sh. Narendra Bhooshan, Dy. Director General, UIDAI, Sh. Ashok Kumar, Assnt. Director General, UIDAI, among others.