NEW DELHI:Eager to make an impact on the electorate by expediting enrolments under its flagship cash-for-food programme Annshree Yojana, the Delhi government is exploring the option of tying up with the postal department to speed up opening of Aadhaar-enabled, zero-balance accounts for beneficiaries from economically weaker sections not covered by the public distribution system.
A total of 45,000 beneficiaries have been enrolled under the scheme launched in December last year which has a target of two lakh beneficiaries. Difficulties in opening of bank accounts have been cited as one of the reasons for the delay by the government.
The Postal Department has proposed to the Delhi government that it would like to facilitate opening of accounts of beneficiaries in Post Offices. The letter from the department to chief secretary D M Spolia mentions news reports citing difficulties faced by beneficiaries in opening bank accounts and suggests that post offices may offer respite.
In a meeting with UIDAI head Nandan Nilekani last week, CM Sheila Dikshit expressed concern over obstacles in delivery of cash transfers due to non-cooperation on the part of banks. She urged Nilekani to work towards speeding up opening of accounts linked to Aadhaar-UID enrolments. The Postal Department is in the process of upgrading its IT-enabled transactions for facilitating Aadhaar-linked payments.
Delhi divisional commissioner and revenue secretary Dharampal, who is in charge of monitoring of Aadhaar-based enrolments and disbursal of benefits for all direct cash transfer schemes, said the government is exploring a link-up with the department. "We are looking to see how the department of posts can facilitate Aadhaar-based transactions," Dharampal told TOI.
Source:-The Times of India
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