Unique identification (UID) or 'Aadhaar' number–UIDAI Effectiveness

Unique Identification Authority of India's (UIDAI) chairman Nandan Nilekani is under pressure from all quarters as people are calling it as a duplication of effort and waste of money. He must be now remembering his cushy days at Infosys by virtue of the criticism he is getting these days.

However not bowing to criticism; UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani says Aadhaar can help ensure the money goes to the people it is meant for. At present, an estimated one-third of Rs 1.5 trillion (a trillion equals 100,000 crore) meant for social sector schemes and subsidies does not reach the poor. Aadhaar could be an effective delivery tool - and much more and can tranform the lives of the poor people for whom subsidies are targetted.

The proof of pudding lies in eating and he has launched pilot project to link Aadhaar with payouts under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). He is going to showcase how technology can transform the nation. We wish him all the best as it is a mammoth project and a country like ours will realise its potential 15 years from now when it would have had bridged the gap between rich and poor.

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