New Delhi, Jan 6 (IBNS): Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday called the Aadhar Card as a 'game changer' and informed that till March 2018 it has helped the government in saving around Rs. 90,000 crore over the last few years by eliminating duplicate and fake beneficiaries.
He said in the last 28 months over 122 crore Aadhaar numbers have been issued.
In a Facebook post, the Minister said: "99% of the adult population of India above the age of 18 stands covered."
Benefits of the Aadhaar – where it stands today https://t.co/CB0iiwDruO
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) January 6, 2019
He said UIDAI has the capacity of 10 crore transactions to be authenticated per day.
Jaitley said: "The Government estimates that Rs. 90,000 crore have been saved in the last few years till March, 2018 by the use of the Aadhaar. Several duplicate beneficiaries, non-existent beneficiaries and fake beneficiaries have been eliminated. The Digital Dividend Report prepared by the World Bank estimates that India can save Rs. 77,000 crore every year by the use of Aadhaar. The savings through Aadhaar can fund three schemes of the size of Ayushman Bharat."
Speaking further on the Aadhar, Jaitley said: "Aadhaar is a game changer. Its evolution tells the same story."
He attacked the Congress-led former central government over the issue of Aadhar implementations and said: " The UPA, because of its contradictions and indecision remained half-hearted about Aadhaar. Instead of taking credit for it, Congress lawyers challenged it in Court and appeared as the anti-technology, anti-Aadhaar faces. A decisive Prime Minister made it possible."
Lok Sabha passes Aadhaar and other laws (Amendment Bill) 2018:
On Friday, the Lok Sabha passed the Aadhaar and other laws (Amendment Bill) 2018.
The Aadhar Bill sought to amend the Aadhaar Act, 2016, the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
With its passage, it is now voluntary for people now to share their 12-digit identification number for obtaining new mobile phone connections and opening bank accounts.
The Bill was introduced in the Parliament on Wednesday.
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had said in the Parliament that day the Aadhar is for the people of the country.
"Through Aadhaar there will be a check on corruption," the Minister was quoted as saying in the Parliament.
The Supreme Court last year upheld the constitutional validity of Aadhaar but stated that linkage of the 12-digit unique identity number with mobile phones and bank accounts is not mandatory
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