The government has implemented a new rule requiring eligible individuals to provide proof of possessing an Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication. This will aid the government in implementing the Financial Assistance Scheme for People Living with Human Immuno Deficiency Virus / Human Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) (PLHAs)/ Children Living With HIV/AIDS (CLHA), Orphan/Destitute Children infected with HIV/AIDS (OCI) and Orphan Children affected by HIV/AIDS (OCA).
According to the guidelines, individuals desiring to avail benefits under the scheme must possess an Aadhaar number or enroll for Aadhaar before registering for the scheme. Those without an Aadhaar number can visit any Aadhaar enrolment center listed on the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) website (www.uidai.gov.in) to get enrolled.
To facilitate the enrolment process, the implementing agency of the department is required to offer Aadhaar enrolment facilities for beneficiaries who are not yet enrolled. In cases where no Aadhaar enrolment center is available in the respective block or taluka or tehsil, the department will coordinate with existing UIDAI registrars or become a UIDAI registrar themselves to provide enrolment facilities at convenient locations.
During the period before an individual is assigned an Aadhaar number, they can still receive benefits under the scheme by providing their Aadhaar Enrolment Identification slip, along with any of the specified documents such as a bank or post office passbook with a photo, passport, ration card, voter identity card, MGNREGA card, Kisan photo passbook, driving license, certificate of identity issued by a gazetted officer or tehsildar, or any other document specified by the department.
For children who have not yet been assigned an Aadhaar number, benefits under the scheme can be given based on their Aadhaar Enrolment Identification slip (or biometric update identification slip if enrolled after the age of five), along with documents such as a birth certificate or record of birth issued by the appropriate authority and a school identity card containing parents’ names. Proof of relationship with the parent or legal guardian can be established using documents like a birth certificate, ration card, ECHS card, ESIC card, CGHS card, pension card, army canteen card, government family entitlement card, or any other document specified by the department.
To ensure beneficiaries are aware of the Aadhaar requirement, the department and its implementing agency will make arrangements to provide wide publicity through the media.
In cases where Aadhaar authentication fails due to poor biometrics or other reasons, alternative authentication mechanisms will be adopted, such as iris scan or face authentication, Aadhaar One Time Password, or time-based One-Time Password. If none of these options are feasible, benefits under the scheme may be given based on the physical Aadhaar letter, with its authenticity verified through the Quick Response (QR) code printed on the letter.
Furthermore, the department and its implementing agency will follow an exception handling mechanism to ensure that no genuine beneficiary is denied their due benefits. Children will not be denied benefits if they fail to establish their identity through authentication, possess an Aadhaar number, or produce an application for enrolment. Their identity will be verified based on the specified documents, and a separate register will be maintained for such cases, subject to review and periodic audits by the department and its implementing agency.
