According to recently released government data, over 99% of Indians who are above 18 years old have been issued Aadhaar cards. According to these statistics over 111 crores Indians have already enrolled themselves for the Unique Identification Numbers.With 91.7% of the population now having Aadhaar Card, it is all set to become a game changer in our economy. This has been made possible as the government has encouraged the use of Aadhaar Pay, which is a merchant payment system and enables less cash society.
On January 23, the government has suggested the banks to enroll more merchants from different villages to use Aadhaar Pay. Also, the government plans on including the UIN in social welfare schemes for subsidies and providing entitlements as that will keep a check on duplication. This is made possible as the 91.7% of population now have Aadhaar cards and also Aadhaar Act to back this up. In 2016-15 the government saved a whooping Rs. 36,000 crores with the use of Aadhaar with schemes like LPG supply and PDS etc.
The IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “We all know Aadhaar was started by the previous government but at that time, it was only a digital identity. Under the government led by PM Narendra Modi, it has become a powerful tool of financial and future transformation,” he also added that, “Aadhaar is also becoming a powerful instrument to bridge the digital divide.”
The minister also said that the Aadhaar card is all set to become a game changer with this Aadhaar Pay where customers can make transactions with just a thumb impression. The BHIM app is also linked to Aadhaar so that transactions are more easier and also transparent.
