After getting the go ahead last month from the cabinet committee to enroll another 40 crore residents for assigning UID numbers, the unique identification authority of India (UIDAI) on Tuesday launched the Aadhaar online identity authentication service. The online authentication service from the authority will enable the public and private service providers to offer efficient and transparent delivery of services through real time verification of the identity of the residents.
 
Speaking at the launch, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman, planning commission said, “With the authentication service, it is possible to have a completely accountable and transparent system of delivery of a large number of government schemes.” Appreciating the work done by the UIDAI, he said the utility of Aadhaar in plucking the leakages in delivery of payments and subsidies to the beneficiaries was significant. Almost 50 percent of the total kerosene oil channeled through the public distribution system (PDS) does not reach the targeted beneficiaries, he said.

He stated that with the help of Aadhaar, the government would be able to transfer the subsidy directly into the beneficiaries’ account who may then buy oil and ration from the open market.  

Nandan Nilekani, chairman, UIDAI, said the government invests Rs 300,000 crore into the social sector schemes, out of which half goes to the beneficiaries in the form of cash and other half goes in the form of subsidies. With online authentication mechanism, the entitlements could now be directly transferred into the beneficiaries’ bank account, he noted.

“Aadhaar is already the largest biometric project in the world. In addition to powerfully streamlining the welfare and subsidy processes, an Aadhaar enabled service delivery would make possible a more transparent, flexible system, and enable the service provider to fulfill its objective of efficient and transparent system,” Ram Sewak Sharma, director general, UIDAI said.