Aadhaar is a 12 digit unique identity number (random number)
which is assigned to all Indians (resident as well as nonresident) based on
their demographics and biometric data (all 10 fingerprints, two iris scans and
facial photograph).
According to UIDAI, "Aadhaar
number is devoid of any intelligence and does not profile people based on
caste, religion, income, health and geography. The Aadhaar number is a proof of
identity, however, it does not confer any right of citizenship or domicile in
respect of an Aadhaar number holder.
Aadhaar is a
strategic policy tool for social and financial inclusion, public sector
delivery reforms, managing fiscal budgets, increase convenience and promote
hassle-free people-centric governance. Aadhaar can be used as a permanent
Financial Address and facilitates financial inclusion of the underprivileged
and weaker sections of the society and is therefore a tool of distributive
justice and equality. The Aadhaar identity platform is one of the key pillars
of the ‘Digital India’, wherein every resident of the country is provided with
a unique identity. The Aadhaar programme has already achieved several
milestones and is by far the largest biometrics based identification system in
the world.
Aadhaar identity platform with its inherent
features of Uniqueness, Authentication, Financial Address and e-KYC, enables
the Government of India to directly reach residents of the country in delivery
of various subsidies, benefits and services by using the resident’s Aadhaar
number only."
Benefits of Aadhaar therefore can be enumerated as:
Aadhaar based direct benefit
transfer. The benefit transfers may
include but not limited to LPG subsidy, fertilizer subsidy (for farmers),
MNEGRA.
Verification
of income tax returns through Aadhaar OTP.
Passport in
10 days.
Opening of
bank account in a few seconds.
Quick
provident fund disbursement.
Jeevan
Pramaan, i.e., life certificates for pensioners.
Digital
locker.
Getting a
new mobile number in seconds.
For investments
(reducing the chances of benami investments).
Driving
license (to avoid a person having multiple driving licenses).
Voter card
linking (to avoid duplication).
A BEAUTIFUL SIDE
EFFECT OF AADHAAR NUMBER:
Citizens of India who for some reason might get lost
(children, old, mentally challenged or a person who has memory loss after
suffering shock) can be brought to an Aadhaar center, and a simple biometric
scan will give the entire details of the citizen. This, to my mind, is the best
side effect of having an Aadhaar number.
