Bhubaneswar: Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra inaugurated the Workshop on simplifying the use of ‘Aadhar’ held under the joint efforts of the State Government and Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on Friday.
Mahapatra said, “Simplifying the use of Aadhar accelerates ease of living while ensuring effective and accurate delivery of various public services.” He advised different departments to “have detail interaction with UIDAI officers in the workshop and get all their doubts clarified for enhancing the use of Aadhar numbers”.
He also advised UIDAI to keep on updating of the Aadhar data and biometric impressions periodically, more particularly the biometric of babies and children, so that the data in Aadhar portal does not get obsolete in course of time. Mahapatra also emphasized on enrolment of newborn babies, old and infirm people who were not able to come over to Aadhar enrolment centers.
Mahapatra asked UIDAI to integrate Aadhar related services with Mo Seva Kendras (MSKs) so that people in remote pockets get the chance for new enrolment and registration of required changes in Aadhar data. It may be pertinent to mention here that presently 5923 MSKYs are operating in the State at block, GP and ward level. These Kendras are gaining rapid popularity, and the number of people using these Kendras is on a constant increase.
Chief Secretary added use of Aadhar authentication in public distribution system, paddy procurement, farmer welfare schemes like Kalia, different types and scholarships, disbursement of benefits under various social security schemes in Odisha has yielded amazing results. Mahapatra also advised UIDAI to undertake intensive awareness programmes about various benefits of possessing a valid and updated Aadhar card.
Chief Executive Officer of UIDAI Dr Saurav Garg said, “Odisha is a lead and robust user State of Aadhar data. Adhara registration in the age group of 18 and above is reaching cent percent. Dr Garg gave an overarching view on uses and utilities of Aadhar, and termed Aadhar as a “key identifier of inclusive growth”. He added that district-level committees would be formed for monitoring the proper use and enrolment of Aadhar.
The workshop was held in three different sessions’ – Keynote and Inaugural session, Technical and Valedictory session. Themes like recent initiatives for expanding the uses of Aadhar and effective e-Governance, State initiatives and best practices, Aadhar payment bridge, Aadhar in direct transfer of benefits, enhancing aadhara enrolment eco-system etc were discussed in the workshop.
Development Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena presided the valedictory session. Jena highlighted on the use of Aadhar in enhancement of targeted and inclusive growth, and peoples’ satisfaction. He emphasized on creation of Aadhar ecosystem at the ground level through proper convergence.
Additional Chief Secretary Revenue and Disaster Management Satyabrata Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary Water Resources Anu Garg, Principal Secretary Finance Vishal Kumar Dev, Principal Secretary Agriculture Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Secretary Electronics and Information Technology Manoj Kumar Sahoo along with senior officers of various departments participated in the workshop.
Experts – P Sangeetha, Amit Bhargav, Sumesh Joshi, Sudhipta Nayak, Ansuman Kamila, D. Bhaskara Rao also spoke.
