Jharkhand: UID cards improve quality of life for Ramgarh residents

Ramgarh: Unique Identification cards introduced in the Ramgarh District of Jharkhand are helping the government bypass middlemen and directly reach out to people. The government's pilot project called Aadhar, being implemented in four districts, combines various welfare schemes making them more accessible through UIDs.

The introduction of the UID card has improved the quality of life in Ramgarh. While Neha uses the ATM to withdraw her monthly scholarship, many MNREGA workers withdraw their pension from the mobile ATM, with just one thumb imprint.

Bypassing middlemen and touts, the pilot scheme has saved beneficiaries in four districts of Jharkhand from numerous hassles. Thanks to the micro ATM, MNREGA workers like Budhua no longer need to stand in serpentine queues or chase bank managers.

The government\'s pilot project Aadhar combines various welfare schemes making them more accessible through UIDs.

Since this project was launched at one of Ranchi's villages in 2010, 10,13,262 beneficiaries have got Aadhar card in Ranchi district, out of which 3,100 have access to mobile ATM withdrawal. In Ramgarh, 2,381 beneficiaries are withdrawing money from ATM out of total 3,07,799 Aadhar card holders.

The administration remains optimistic that once these numbers climb, the results will be even more encouraging. In the first phase, the government has tagged four welfare schemes including the old age pension, MNREGA and Kishan Credit Card with this pilot project.

After the recent hike in prices, the subsidy on LPG is also being tagged now. Once the project proves its worth, all government welfare schemes would come under its ambit, easing out middlemen and touts from this system.

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