The Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Goa, on January 3rd 2025 has issued a significant notification regarding the use of Aadhaar for identity verification in the Chief Minister’s Financial Assistance for Refilling of LPG Cylinder Scheme, 2023.
This move aims to streamline the delivery of benefits, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and ease for eligible beneficiaries.
Key Provisions of the Notification:
Aadhaar Requirement for Scheme Beneficiaries:
- Aadhaar Authentication: Individuals wishing to avail benefits under the Scheme must furnish proof of Aadhaar possession or undergo Aadhaar authentication.
- Aadhaar Enrollment: Applicants who do not yet have an Aadhaar number must enroll for Aadhaar before registering for the Scheme. They can visit any Aadhaar enrollment center to complete the process.
Alternative Documentation:
- If the individual is not yet assigned an Aadhaar number, they can still receive benefits by presenting the Aadhaar Enrolment Identification slip and one of the following alternative documents:
- Bank or post office passbook with photo
- Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card
- Passport
- Ration card
- Voter Identity card
- MGNREGA card
- Kisan photo passbook
- Driving license
- Certificate of identity issued by a Gazetted Officer or Tehsildar
- Other documents specified by the Department
Ensuring Convenience for Beneficiaries:
- Public Awareness: The Department, through its Implementing Agency, will ensure extensive media publicity to raise awareness among beneficiaries about the Aadhaar requirement.
- Exception Handling Mechanism: In cases where Aadhaar authentication fails due to poor biometrics or other reasons, alternative methods like Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) scan, face authentication, or Aadhaar One-Time Password (OTP) will be used. In exceptional cases, benefits can be provided with a physical Aadhaar letter verified via QR code.
Goal of the Scheme:
- The Scheme is designed to offer Rs. 275 per month as compensation towards the cost of three LPG refills per year for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration cardholders. These benefits will be transferred directly to the beneficiary’s bank account.
Implementation Timeline:
- The notification comes into effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette of Goa.(January 3rd 2025)
