Tech-enabled direct benefits to needy will reduce corruption says PM

20 October, 2012

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh while launching the Aadhaar scheme at Dudu in Rajasthan said, 'By giving benefits directly to the needy, complaints of dishonesty and delay will reduce.'

AT A function where Singh handed over Aadhar number '21 crore' to a villager added, "Our government wants to use new technology in extensively to curb dishonesty and bring transparency in governance. Aadhar is a important step in this direction."

According to Singh his government will implement the Aadhaar-enabled direct cash transfer scheme for its welfare schemes in 51 districts in the country by mid-next year. The welfare schemes will include PDS distribution, MGNREGS, pension, scholarship and distribution of subsidized LPG to begin with, to ensure that the beneficiary directly get the benefit, reported The Times of India.

At the function, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Minister of State for Communications Sachin Pilot and Planning Minister Ashwani Kumar were also present.

Sonia Gandhi while addressing the function said that the Aadhar scheme is going to provide an identity to the common man and function as a tool to claim his or benefits and rights anywhere in the country by in ensuring that subsidy reaches the poor without running from pillar to post to claim benefits and rights

But many wondered that with UPA government facing allegations of corruption and without changing the mind sets of government functionaries how can it curb the corruption and bring transparency in governance.