Aadhaar Now Mandatory for Post Office, PPF, NSC and Govt Savings Schemes

The BJP government led by PM Narendra Modi has been pushing Aadhaar to all the services provided by the government. After making Aadhaar mandatory for income tax returns, bank accounts and mobile numbers, Government has made Aadhaar mandatory for all the savings schemes such as PPF, Post Office, KVP and NSC.

The ministry of Finance has released 4 notifications making Aadhaar mandatory for opening all post office deposit accounts, Public Provident Fund(PPF), National Savings Certificate (NSC) Scheme and Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP).

Existing depositors have time till 31^st December 2017 to get their saving schemes seeded with their Aadhaar numbers.

“Provided that where Aadhaar number has not been assigned, the depositor shall submit proof of application of enrolment for Aadhaar,” the notification dated September 29 said.

Existing depositors who have not provided an Aadhaar number at the time of application for such deposit “shall submit his/her Aadhaar number to the post office savings bank or deposit office concerned, on or before December 31, 2017,” it added.

Government extends the deadline for Aadhaar Update to avail its schemes and subsidies

Just last month, BJP government had extended the deadline for submitting Aadhaar numbers to avail the schemes and subsidies offered by government or its agencies. The deadline was extended to 31^st December from 30^th September for people who don’t have Aadhaar number or have not yet submitted.

However, services would not be stopped during this period and would continue as before without any changes.

There are around 135 schemes including free cooking LPG gas to poor women along with kerosene and fertilizers, public distribution systems and MGNREGA. It also includes Employee Pension Scheme, 1995, student scholarships and housing subsidy.

“It is hereby clarified that this extension shall only apply to those beneficiaries who are not assigned Aadhaar number or those who have not yet enrolled for Aadhaar. Such beneficiaries are required to enroll for Aadhaar by December 31, 2017 and provide their Aadhaar number or enrolment ID,” government had said.

Aadhaar indeed is helping the government to close the leakages, corruption and delay in the system and has also helped people to get benefits quickly & in a transparent way from the government. It would be interesting to see as to how much the government would be able to save through Aadhaar seeding ensuring that people get all services and help from government without any delay.