the goan I network
MAPUSA
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told the Legislative Assembly that the Aadhaar Card was compulsory to avail benefits of government schemes.
“Aadhaar Card is compulsory for all the schemes,” Sawant said, while responding to Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes.
Speaking on the floor of the House, the Canacona MLA said some officials insisted on Aadhaar Cards even when it was not required.
Stating that Goa ranked fifth in India regarding Aadhaar card coverage, the CM said the planning and statistics department was ever ready to offer help for Aadhaar enrollment.
Incidentally, the Supreme Court in its judgment, last year, had said that only those who wish to avail of the direct benefit transfer (DBT) schemes of the government “ cooking gas, public distribution system, the rural jobs programme and so on “ would have to enrol for Aadhaar.
The court, however, said no one can be denied benefits for lack of Aadhaar or if authentication fails.
Alternate identify proofs can be used to claim benefits in such instances, the court had ruled.
Replying to Isidore’s concerns that people of his constituency have to travel to Margao for a correction in Aadhaar card, the CM said the Planning and Statistics Department was always ready to help people.
Giving the breakup of the Aadhaar coverage in Canacona, the CM said Canacona has a population of 48,233, of which 47,226 people have obtained Aadhaar card.
He further said on the request of the local MLA, 3-5 camps were held in Canacona for enrollment of Aadhaar.
Fernandes further pointed out that elderly people have to visit Margao twice for correction of names on the card.
The CM assured to provide a facility for correction of names in the various panchayats in the constituency.
Independent MLA Prasad Goankar informed that Sanguem did not have Aadhaar Card centre despite following up with the department for the last two years.
