Urban poor ‘must’ have Aadhaar for skill training, credit facilities

An individual who wants to enjoy the benefits under the scheme and does not possess the Aadhaar is hereby required to apply for it by June 30

From July 1, urban poor youngsters will have to furnish the 12-digit Aadhaar number if they want to enjoy skill training and credit facilities to get gainful employment under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana, a Union housing and urban poverty alleviation ministry programme.

The National Urban Livelihoods Mission is the latest social sector scheme that has been linked to Aadhaar.

In the last few months, the government has made Aadhaar mandatory for beneficiaries availing of benefits of over 50 welfare schemes, including mid day meal, maternity benefit programme, pensions by retired army men, a move that has invited criticism from activists and civil society.

The National Urban Livelihoods Mission aims to reduce poverty and vulnerability of the urban poor households by enabling them to access gainful selfemployment and skilled wage employment opportunities.

Last week, the government issued a notification making it mandatory for beneficiaries to produce Aadhaar number to avail of the benefits under the scheme.

“An individual who wants to enjoy the benefits under the scheme and does not possess the Aadhaar number or, has not yet enrolled for Aadhaar, is hereby required to apply for it by June 30, 2017,” the notification states.

The Supreme Court had in October 2015 said that government cannot make Aadhaar mandatory to access benefits and welfare schemes.