Aadhaar card to be accepted as age proof for Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar and related schemes in Maharashtra

Khamgaon: Aadhaar card will now be valid as proof of age for availing benefits under the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Anudan Yojana and the Indira Gandhi National Old Age, Deserted and Divorced Women schemes. The Maharashtra government has taken the decision.

Until now, applicants had to submit either a school leaving certificate or a birth certificate as proof of age for these schemes. Many women in earlier times were deprived of schooling and so had no school leaving certificate. The births of many women were not recorded anywhere at the time, which made it difficult to obtain a birth certificate. As a result, many destitute women remained out of reach of government scheme benefits despite being eligible.

Drawing attention to this serious problem, Rashtriya OBC Mahasangh district president Ganesh Chaukse had submitted a written representation to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. It demanded that Aadhaar card be accepted as proof of age for government schemes. Considering the demand, the state government's Social Justice and Special Assistance Department issued a government resolution on October 14. Under it, it has been decided to accept Aadhaar card as proof of age. This will bring major relief to destitute women who were in difficulty.

Chaukse has come forward earlier as well to get several government schemes implemented. He pursued the matter to have the closed e-KYC process of the Ladki Bahin Yojana restarted, which allowed many women to benefit. He also made efforts to get free gas connections for 17,555 women in the district under the Ujjwala gas scheme.

He also pursued the matter of getting small businessmen financial assistance of Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and PM SVANidhi scheme. Citizens are getting relief from his role in persistently taking up the questions of ordinary people.