Arvind Kejriwal-Led AAP Government in Delhi Mulling to Do Away With Mandatory Aadhaar Card Linkage for Pensioners

New Delhi, July 26: In a bid to provide some relief to the senior citizens, the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government in Delhi is trying to do away with the mandatory Aadhaar card linkage. As per a news report in DNA, the AAP government is mulling on the new plan and believes that if it is executed, the plan will help provide major relief to around 80,000 senior citizens who have not received their pension amount as their Aadhaar cards are not linked with the National Payments Corporation of India (NCPI).

Rajendar Pal Gautam, the social welfare minister, Delhi government confirmed the news and was quoted as saying, "The pensions of around 80,000 senior citizens are pending as their Aadhaar cards are not linked with NPCI. We have now decided that the increased pension will be given to the beneficiaries and side by side they can continue linking their Aadhaar cards. The proposal is prepared and we will present it in the Cabinet on Friday."

As per reports, those who have not linked their bank accounts on NCPI portal have not been receiving the increased pension. NPCI is an umbrella organisation for all retail payments in India. It was set up with the guidance and support of the Reserve Bank of India and Indian Banks Association.

The supreme court has recently stated that Aadhaar linkage is not mandatory.  Aadhaar is a 12-digit number, issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), that acts as identification and address proof. There are about 48.41 lakh central government employees and 61.17 lakh pensioners. Singh cited various initiatives started by the central government for the welfare of its employees and pensioners.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 26, 2018 04:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).