The Delhi government has made Aadhaar mandatory for obtaining income certificates, a move that will impact residents seeking to access various government schemes and subsidies. Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena approved the proposal, which aims to streamline the process, reduce fraud, and ensure that benefits reach genuine beneficiaries. This decision, which is effective immediately, brings the issuance of income certificates under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016.

What the Change Means

An income certificate is a crucial document for Delhi residents, serving as proof of their financial status and eligibility for various government programs. These programs include:

• Fee reimbursement for students belonging to SC/ST/OBC categories.
• Pension schemes.
• Financial assistance under the Delhi Arogya Kosh for medical aid.

With the new rule, applicants will need to authenticate their identity using Aadhaar to obtain an income certificate. This means providing their Aadhaar number during the application process. The government believes that this will help in eliminating irregularities and ensuring that only eligible individuals receive the intended benefits.

Why Aadhaar?

The Delhi government and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta have emphasized that mandating Aadhaar will bring greater transparency and reduce the chances of fraudulent claims. By linking the issuance of income certificates to Aadhaar, the government aims to create a more secure and efficient system.

The use of Aadhaar aligns with a 2019 directive from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which allows state governments to enforce Aadhaar-based verification for schemes funded from the state's Consolidated Fund. According to the Revenue Department, Aadhaar simplifies service delivery by removing the need for multiple identity documents, making the process more efficient and citizen-friendly.

Benefits of Aadhaar-based Identification

The Delhi government highlights several benefits of using Aadhaar for income certificate issuance:

• Simplified Process: Aadhaar eliminates the need to produce multiple documents to prove identity, streamlining the application process.
• Direct Benefit Transfer: Beneficiaries can receive entitlements directly and seamlessly, reducing bureaucratic delays.
• Reduced Fraud: Aadhaar authentication helps to prevent the issuance of certificates to ineligible individuals, ensuring that resources are allocated correctly.
• Transparency: The system promotes transparency in the distribution of benefits, making it easier to track and monitor the use of public funds.

What if You Don't Have Aadhaar?

For those who do not currently possess an Aadhaar number, it will now be necessary to apply for one to access these government benefits. To ensure a smooth transition, the Lieutenant Governor has directed the Revenue Department to conduct extensive public outreach programs. These campaigns will aim to inform citizens about the new requirement and how to comply, ensuring that no one is denied access to schemes due to a lack of awareness or documentation.

Exemptions

NewsBytes reports that children under 18 can use their Aadhaar enrollment ID along with a birth certificate or school certificate.

This move marks a significant step towards leveraging Aadhaar to improve governance and service delivery in Delhi. By making Aadhaar mandatory for income certificates, the government hopes to create a more efficient, transparent, and equitable system for distributing welfare benefits to its citizens.