Govt keen to increase ambit of cash transfer scheme: Sheila

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday claimed that her government is keen to increase the ambit of beneficiaries under Aadhar-based Direct Cash Transfer.

The government would like to include more beneficiaries under the Delhi Annashree Yojna and Delhi Kerosene Free Scheme apart from including beneficiaries under building-construction workers welfare fund, school children, widows and handicapped categories in the ambit of those beneficiaries who have been receiving their benefits under the Aadhar-based Direct Cash Transfer.

This will result in an increase of such beneficiaries to 30 lakh. Dikshit expressed these views in a meeting with Nandan Nilekani of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIADI), at the Delhi Secretariat.

The divisional commissioner, Dharampal and commissioner food and supply SS Yadav were also present in the meeting.

Issues pertaining to the opening of bank accounts for beneficiaries was also discussed in the meeting as these banks have not been rendering their active cooperation.

This has resulted in difficulties in withdrawal of benefit money for the beneficiaries who have been already covered under the Direct Cash Transfer scheme.

Dikshit said she would also write a letter to the union finance minister on this issue. The Chief Minister further stated that her government would facilitate installation of small ATM machines at its 140 GRC (Generic Reference Configuration) centres, 11 offices of deputy commissioners of revenue and certain circle offices of food and supply department in order to help beneficiaries withdraw their benefit amount easily.

Apart from this, the employees working at these offices would be given the position of bank correspondents.

Dikshit added that 95 per cent of total population of Delhi has received their Aadhar number.

The applicants can also take a print-out of his/her Aadhar card as this would be treated as original Aadhar number card.

This would facilitate beneficiaries to get their bank accounts opened and avail benefits of the schemes.