Aadhaar for midday meals, ICDS shocking: Mamata

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday termed as shocking the Central government's decision to link Aadhaar card with midday meals programmes in schools.

"Now even infants (0-5 years) will need Aadhaar cards? Aadhaar card for midday meals and ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme)? Shocking! 100 Days' Work also not spared," she tweeted.

The Human Resources Development Ministry earlier this week came up with a notification making it mandatory for students to have an Aadhaar number for getting their midday meals.

The cook-cum-helpers engaged in preparing the meals for the scheme would also now be required to have Aadhaar cards.

Excepting Jammu and Kashmir, Meghalaya and Assam, all other states and Union Territories would have to adhere to the new rule. However, those not yet enrolled in the Aadhaar scheme have been given time till June 30.

Protesting against the decision, Banerjee said in another tweet: "Instead of helping the poorest of the poor, the downtrodden and our favourite children, why are their rights being snatched away?"

She also alleged that individuals were losing their privacy because of Aadhaar.

"In the name of Aadhaar, privacy is being lost and there is extortion. Why is this Govt so negative? As a nation, we must condemn this," she added.

It may be mentioned, the schemes like the Midday Meal Scheme, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyanmik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) were decided to be linked with the Aadhaar card. It was also decided that children who have been receiving benefits under these schemes, but without an Aadhaar card, would not be enrolled for it in the future.

A Bengal state secretariat source said it was estimated that only about 70 percent of the daily labourers possessed Aadhaar cards. This will hamper the rural employments.