<p>Within days of Election Commission issuing direction in the direct cash transfer scheme, the government today said it will be implemented in 43 districts, as against 51 announced earlier.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"As Aadhaar numbers are in the process of being issued, Aadhar enabled direct cash transfer is being implemented in a phase wise manner beginning with 43 districts from January 1, 2013," Finance Minister P Chidambaram said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.<br /><br />The government's earlier announcement of implementing cash transfer in 29 welfare schemes in 51 districts from January 1 was objected to by BJP, in view of the state- elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.<br /><br />Following a complaint by the BJP, the Election Commission has asked the government to postpone implementation of the scheme in these two states. Chidambaram, in his reply, said a decision on whether Aadhaar should be mandatory for getting benefits through direct cash transfer, would be taken by individual ministries/ departments with respect to their own schemes.<br /><br />The electronic cash transfers will be based on Aadhar (Unique Identification Number) platform. The entire country is targeted to be covered by the end of next year.<br /><br />"Since Aadhaar is based on unique identity of a person that includes finger print..., the proposed transfer will help in de-duplication and accurate targeting of the beneficiary," Chidambaram said.<br /><br />The schemes which would come under the purview of the cash transfer scheme from January 1 would include those of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Human Resources Development (HRD), Minority, Welfare, Women and Child Development, Health and Family and Labour and Employment.<br /><br />Aadhaar, a 12-digit number, serves as a proof of identity and address anywhere in the country. The UIDAI has already issued 21 crore Aadhaar cards.</p>
<p>Within days of Election Commission issuing direction in the direct cash transfer scheme, the government today said it will be implemented in 43 districts, as against 51 announced earlier.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"As Aadhaar numbers are in the process of being issued, Aadhar enabled direct cash transfer is being implemented in a phase wise manner beginning with 43 districts from January 1, 2013," Finance Minister P Chidambaram said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.<br /><br />The government's earlier announcement of implementing cash transfer in 29 welfare schemes in 51 districts from January 1 was objected to by BJP, in view of the state- elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.<br /><br />Following a complaint by the BJP, the Election Commission has asked the government to postpone implementation of the scheme in these two states. Chidambaram, in his reply, said a decision on whether Aadhaar should be mandatory for getting benefits through direct cash transfer, would be taken by individual ministries/ departments with respect to their own schemes.<br /><br />The electronic cash transfers will be based on Aadhar (Unique Identification Number) platform. The entire country is targeted to be covered by the end of next year.<br /><br />"Since Aadhaar is based on unique identity of a person that includes finger print..., the proposed transfer will help in de-duplication and accurate targeting of the beneficiary," Chidambaram said.<br /><br />The schemes which would come under the purview of the cash transfer scheme from January 1 would include those of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Human Resources Development (HRD), Minority, Welfare, Women and Child Development, Health and Family and Labour and Employment.<br /><br />Aadhaar, a 12-digit number, serves as a proof of identity and address anywhere in the country. The UIDAI has already issued 21 crore Aadhaar cards.</p>