The Delhi government’s social welfare department, on 20 September, noted that district level officers are ‘turning away’ pension beneficiaries who do not have their bank accounts linked with their Aadhaar cards, The Indian Express reported. This comes after the government’s decision to delink Aadhaar with pension beneficiaries.
The social welfare department further warned that administrative action will be taken against the officers responsible.
Rashmi Krishna, Social Department Welfare Secretary, said in a circular:
It is a matter of regret that some district officers are reported to have been behaving in the most callous and insensitive manner by turning away people for non-availability/non-linking of the Aadhaar number. It may be noted that such behaviour… is not acceptable and any complaint received to this effect shall be viewed seriously and may render the officers/officials concerned liable to appropriate administrative action.Quoted by The Indian express.
This comes after the Delhi government, in July, had clearly said that Aadhaar is no longer mandatory for getting pension (hyperlink).
While Aadhaar is not mandatory for now, the social welfare department will task Anganwadi workers with gathering Aadhaar numbers of beneficiaries whose names are not on the list of people who have their bank accounts linked with Aadhaar.
The Delhi government will pay Rs 50 to the Anganwadi workers per beneficiary.
According to The Indian Express report, the process will also verify the “living status as well as residence status” in these cases.
In cases where Aadhaar is not assigned to a beneficiary, the workers will help them with the necessary information, The Indian Express reported, citing the note signed by Rashmi Krishnan.
(With inputs from The Indian Express.)
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