Chandigarh, 25 January 2025: Punjab chief secretary KAP Sinha urged government departments, banks, and postal services to intensify efforts to ensure Aadhaar enrolment for children under five.
Speaking at a meeting of the Unique Identification Implementation Committee (UIDIC) in Chandigarh on Friday, Sinha highlighted the need for seamless Aadhaar-based service access.
The session brought together officials from key departments and emphasized achieving 100% Aadhaar penetration in the 0-5 age group. “Updating children’s biometrics is crucial for accessing government schemes and services without delays,” Sinha stated.
Deputy director general of UIDAI’s Chandigarh regional office, Bhawna Garg, proposed deploying Aadhaar kits at immunization centres and fostering collaboration between the health and women and child development (WCD) departments for better enrolment outcomes. She recommended that the education department develop a comprehensive plan to identify children requiring mandatory biometric updates (MBUs) at ages five and fifteen, facilitating access to educational benefits, scholarships, and government schemes.
“Face authentication can further streamline service delivery,” Garg said, encouraging departments to integrate the technology into their programs. Case studies showcased the effectiveness of Aadhaar-based solutions in improving efficiency.
Sinha directed that Aadhaar camps be set up in all government and private schools, enabling easier access for students and their families. He also underscored the importance of promoting the m-Aadhaar application and My-Aadhaar Portal to enhance convenience for residents.