Cabinet Approves Aadhaar Enrolment in Four States

The Cabinet on Wednesday approved the fifth phase of the Aadhaar scheme for undertaking enrolment in four states - Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh.

With this, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has been given the target to generate 100 crore Aadhaar cards by 2015, an official statement said.

This would include Unique Identification numbers issued under the National Population Register process in 12 states/union territories allocated to it.

"Comprehensive proposals regarding Aadhaar Sampark Kendra, information, education and communication campaigns, document management system and rent rates and taxes will be prepared by the UIDAI and a revised cost estimate submitted for appraisal of the Expenditure Finance Committee," the statement said.

The UIDAI was established in 2009 to generate and assign UID numbers to residents of India. Under this, enrolment is done by registrars through agencies and the government provides outcome-based financial assistance to them.

So far, more than 67.38 crore Aadhaar numbers have been generated by the UIDAI since August 2010. The total expenditure incurred by the UIDAI since its inception is ₹4,906 crore as on 31 August.

The project aims to ensure inclusive growth by providing verifiable identity to all residents, including marginalised sections of the society. Besides strengthening equity, this will also enable an efficient delivery of services and effective governance as well.