On March 11th, 2025, the Government of Tamil Nadu issued a notification requiring the mandatory use of Aadhaar authentication for beneficiaries of the schemes under the Ulema and Employees Welfare Board, part of the Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, and Minorities Welfare Department. This decision follows Section 7 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits, and Services) Act, 2016, and aims to streamline service delivery, improve transparency, and ensure seamless access to benefits for eligible individuals.
Key Details of the Notification:
Aadhaar Authentication Requirement:
- All individuals eligible for benefits under the Ulema and Employees Welfare Board schemes must either provide proof of Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication to receive their entitlements.
Aadhaar Enrollment for New Applicants:
- Individuals who do not possess an Aadhaar number or have not yet enrolled for Aadhaar must apply for Aadhaar enrollment before they can register for the scheme.
- Enrollment facilities will be made available at Aadhaar centers, and the list of centers can be found on the UIDAI website.
Temporary Document Submission:
- If an individual has applied for Aadhaar but has not received the number, they can still access benefits by providing:
- Aadhaar Enrolment Identification Slip along with any one of the following identity documents:
- Bank or Post Office Passbook with Photo
- PAN Card
- Passport
- Voter Identity Card
- Driving License
- Certificate of identity issued by a Gazetted Officer or Tahsildar
- Any other document specified by the Department.
- Aadhaar Enrolment Identification Slip along with any one of the following identity documents:
Aadhaar Authentication Failures and Solutions:
- In case of biometric authentication failures (due to poor fingerprint quality or other reasons), alternative authentication methods will be adopted:
- Iris scan or face authentication will be used if fingerprint authentication fails.
- If biometric authentication fails entirely, beneficiaries will be offered Aadhaar One-Time Password (OTP) authentication.
- If all other authentication methods fail, benefits may be provided based on the physical Aadhaar letter. The authenticity of the letter can be verified via the QR code printed on it.
Public Awareness and Exception Handling:
- The department will ensure wide publicity to inform beneficiaries about the Aadhaar authentication requirement and the available alternatives.
- An exception-handling mechanism will be in place to ensure that no eligible beneficiary is deprived of their due benefits, as per the guidelines outlined by the Direct Benefit Transfer Mission of the Government of India.
Implementation:
- The notification will come into effect from the date of its publication in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette Extraordinary.
The Schemes Covered Under the Ulema and Employees Welfare Board:
The Ulema and Employees Welfare Board administers various welfare schemes aimed at the educational and economic advancement of individuals working in mosques, dargahs, burial grounds, madrasas, and related institutions. These include:
- Accidental Insurance
- Natural Death Benefits
- Funeral Expenses
- Scholarships
- Marriage Assistance
- Maternity Assistance
- Abortion Assistance
- Reimbursement for Spectacles
- Old Age Pension
Impact of Aadhaar Mandate:
This step is designed to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the welfare schemes by ensuring that only eligible beneficiaries receive benefits directly into their accounts. The use of Aadhaar authentication eliminates the need for multiple identity documents and reduces the chances of fraudulent claims, ensuring that the intended recipients receive their due benefits seamlessly.
The Tamil Nadu government is committed to facilitating smooth access to welfare benefits for the citizens, particularly from backward classes and minority communities, by leveraging technology to improve delivery processes.
For more information on Aadhaar enrollment and the schemes, individuals are encouraged to visit the UIDAI website and stay updated with notifications from the Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department.
