Centre makes Aadhaar verification mandatory for scholarships under PM Cares for Children Scheme

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 17 (STC): The central government has made it mandatory to submit Aadhaar verification or proof of Aadhaar number to avail scholarships and educational assistance under the PM Cares for Children Scheme, reads a notification issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
However, the government has clarified that no child will be deprived of the benefits of the scheme in case of failure to verify Aadhaar or non-issuance of Aadhaar number.
Notably, the special scholarship scheme under the PM Cares for Children Scheme provides assistance in continuing education of children from class 1 to class 12. The notification has clarified that a child who has failed to prove his identity through Aadhaar verification, who has not been able to produce proof of having Aadhaar number or who has applied for Aadhaar enrolment but has not yet been issued an Aadhaar number, will not be deprived of the benefits of the scheme. In such cases, the identity of the child and his relationship with the parent or legal guardian will be verified through prescribed documents.
Eligible children who have not yet been issued an Aadhaar number will have to apply for Aadhaar enrolment. This application can be made on behalf of a minor child with the consent of the parent or legal guardian. The concerned department will ensure Aadhaar enrolment of such beneficiaries and will also facilitate necessary updates in Aadhaar details.
For children below 18 years of age, proof of age along with Aadhaar enrolment receipt, on which the enrolment ID is mentioned, can be submitted to prove identity till the issuance of Aadhaar number. For this purpose, birth certificate, Indian passport or 10th or 12th class certificate or mark sheet issued by a recognized educational board will be acceptable. A photo ID will also have to be submitted to verify the relationship of the child with the parents or legal guardian.
The prescribed documents include ration card, Indian passport, caste or domicile certificate issued by an authorized officer and other documents. Alternative identity documents have also been prescribed for foreign deserving children.
Foreign children below the age of 18 years who have not been issued Aadhaar number can present OCI card, registration certificate issued by the Foreign Regional Registration Office, or relevant passport in case of citizens of Nepal and Bhutan. In cases of legal guardianship, adoption order or document proving legal guardianship issued by the authorized authority will also be acceptable.
Beneficiaries of the age of 18 years and above who have not been issued Aadhaar number will have to submit a photo ID along with the Aadhaar enrolment receipt with enrolment ID. These documents include Voter ID card, Ration card, Indian passport, Driving license, Class 10 or 12 certificate or mark sheet and Scheduled Caste or Domicile certificate. The government has also prescribed alternative procedures in case of failure in Aadhaar verification. If biometric verification is not successful due to poor quality biometric data or any other reason, then, where possible and acceptable, any other method of biometric or one-time password will be used for verification.
The department will maintain a record of all cases in which children have been provided the benefit of the scheme through alternative verification process. These cases will also be reviewed and audited from time to time.
The exceptional procedures mentioned in the Office Memorandum of the Direct Benefit Transfer Mission dated December 19, 2017 will be followed to resolve issues related to Aadhaar verification for genuine beneficiaries of 18 years of age and above.
(Straight Talk Communications)