The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked Tripura and Mizoram to complete Aadhaar enrolment of Brus at the earliest to ensure that beneficiaries desirous of receiving the benefit under the scheme continue to receive the “Grant in Aid”. The notification, undersigned by Piyush Goyal, Joint Secretary, MHA, said the use of Aadhaar as an identity document for delivery of services or benefits or subsidies simplifies the Government delivery processes, brings in transparency and efficiency, and enables beneficiaries to get their entitlements directly conveniently and seamlessly. Aadhaar obviates the need for producing multiple documents to prove one’s identity. “…the Central Scheme of “Grant in Aid to Government of Tripura and Mizoram for the rehabilitation of Bru Migrants” under which financial assistance is given to the eligible Bru persons or eligible family members of the Bru persons through the Collectors and District Magistrates and Deputy Commissioners concerned,” the notification reads. It also cited that an eligible beneficiary desirous of receiving benefits under the scheme must furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication. “Any eligible beneficiary desirous of receiving benefit under the Scheme, who does not possess the Aadhaar number or, has not yet enrolled for Aadhaar, shall have to apply for Aadhaar enrollment provided he is entitled to obtain Aadhaar as per the provisions of section 3 of the said Act and such beneficiary shall visit any Aadhaar enrolment centre for Aadhaar enrolment,” the notification added. The ministry also said that the ministry through the implementing agency must provide Aadhaar enrolment facilities at convenient locations in coordination with the existing registrars of Unique Identification Authority of India or by becoming Unique Identification Authority of India Registrars themselves. However, provided that till the time Aadhaar is assigned to the beneficiary, benefit under the scheme would be given to such beneficiary subject to the production of the Aadhaar enrolment identification slip and identification slip issued by the home department, Government of Mizoram. If Aadhaar authentication fails due to poor biometrics of the beneficiaries or due to any other reason, the following remedial mechanisms would be adopted. In a case of poor fingerprint quality, Iris scan or face authentication facility shall be adopted for authentication. The Ministry, through its implementing agency, shall make provisions for iris scanners or face authentication along with fingerprint authentication for delivery of benefit in a seamless manner. In case biometric authentication through fingerprints or Iris scan or face authentication is not successful, wherever feasible and admissible, authentication by Aadhaar one-time password, or time-based one-time password, or time-based one-time password, as the case may be shall be offered. In all other cases, where biometric or one-time password or time-based one-time password authentication is not possible, benefits under the scheme may be given based on physical Aadhaar letter. Its authenticity can be verified through the QR code printed on the Andhaar letter and the necessary arrangement of QR code reader shall be provided at the convenient locations by the Ministry through its implementing agency.
