Assuring people that there was no reason to panic, minister for civil supplies D Sridhar Babu said the welfare schemes of both Centre and state government will be linked with Aadhaar cards only after the entire process of enrolling and distribution, and feeding numbers to banks, is completed.
Speaking to mediapersons after reviewing the Aadhaar Cards issue with officials at the Secretariat here Tuesday, Babu said, “We have asked the Centre to extend the deadline and are hopeful of a positive response.”
Reiterating that the state will ensure easy access for enrolment and distribution of Aadhaar cards, he said special desks - Aadhaar Parishkar - will be set up in Mee Seva centres from Monday (Feb 18).
If enrolled persons have not received their cards, they can approach the desks and know the status by giving their enrolment number or name and address.
“As of today, 6.52 crore out of 8.5 crore people have enrolled for these cards, of which 5.26 crore have been given card numbers.
There are another two crore who are yet to enrol themselves,” he said while admitting that there was some delay in distribution of Aadhaar cards through postal department.
He assured that the entire process would be completed in two months time. He said 700 additional centres will be set up by the civil supplies department, 500 by IT department, and 400 centres by the NPR to speed up the process.
This is in addition to the already existing 6,533 centres set up by various departments.
When questioned about the reported irregularities, such as taking money for enrolment etc, the minister said their department’s vigilance wing would act tough against such offenders and take strict action against them.
The minister is expected to go to Delhi to meet Union minister for petroleum and natural gas Veerappa Moily on Wednesday.