The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has generated 78.59 crore Aadhaar numbers as on March 9 although they are not mandatory for availing the benefits under various schemes, Parliament was informed on Thursday.
“The Aadhaar generation crossed 70 crore mark in October 2014 and a total of 78.59 crore Aadhaars have been generated in the country as on March 9,” Planning Minister Rao Inderjit Singh said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.
He further said: “Aadhaar is not mandatory for claiming direct cash transfer for LPG subsidy, or for opening of accounts under Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojna.”
On the Aadhaar enrolments in North-Eastern states including Meghalaya, he said: “The enrolment for Aadhaar is in progress in the entire country including North-Eastern states.
“In Meghalaya where enrolments are undertaken by Registrar General of India under National Population Register process (NPR), the activity has currently been put on hold by the state government due to some local administrative issues. As on March 9, the number of Aadhaar generated in the Meghalaya stands at 21,099.”