The government has given time to those not having the biometric-based unique identification number to apply for Aadhaar by June 30, even as it made Aadhaar mandatory for availing of subsidised foodgrains from fair price shops to better target the `1.4 lakh crore subsidy under the food security law.
The government issued a notification to this effect but did stop short of saying that subsidised foodgrains will not be sold to anyone not having Aadhaar after June 30.
Under the National Food Security Law (NFSA), which was rolled out across the country in November last year, the government provides 5 kg of foodgrains per person every month at `1-3/kg to over 80 crore people.
“...the Department of Food and Consumer Affairs has issued a Notification under Aadhaar Act on February 8 which requires individual beneficiaries having ration cards under NFSA to furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication to receive subsidies under NFSA (i.e. subsidised food grains or cash Transfer of Food Subsidy under NFSA),” said an official statement.
The notification came into effect from February 8 in all states and UTs except Assam, Meghalaya and Jammu and Kashmir. This will also be applicable to all the new beneficiaries.
“Beneficiaries under NFSA who do not possess the Aadhaar number or are not yet enrolled for Aadhaar, but are desirous of availing subsidies under NFSA are required to make application for Aadhaar enrolment by June 30, 2017, and may visit any Aadhaar enrolment centre to get enrolled for Aadhaar,” said the statement.
The notification has been issued since subsidised foodgrains under PDS and cash transfer of food subsidy under NFSA involves recurring expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India, it added.