CHENNAI: The state government has made it mandatory to furnish Aadhaar number to avail the benefits of Chief Minister’s Girl Child Protection Scheme.

The state Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department has issued a GO insisting that an eligible individual desirous of availing incentive under the scheme is required to furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number or under Aadhaar verification. A GO issued by Shunchonngam Jatak Chiru, principal secretary, Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department on January 25, said that an eligible individual who does not possess an

Aadhaar number or has not enrolled for Aadhaar yet, shall be required to make application for Aadhaar enrolment subject to the consent of her parents, before registering for the scheme.

The GO issued in pursuance of the section of the

Aadhaar (Targeted delivery of financial and other subsidies, benefits Services) Act 2016, provides for extending assistance to the beneficiaries on production of Aadhaar enrolment identification slip or copy of the request made for Aadhaar or on production of passport, bank passbook or PAN card or ration card among the 10 valid documents under the scheme till the time of Aadhaar is assigned to them.

The department has instructed district collectors to facilitate Aadhaar enrolment facilities at convenient locations in case of beneficiaries unable to enroll for Aadhaar due to non-availability of centers within their vicinity.

Under the scheme, the Social Welfare department provides Rs 50,000, which is deposited in the name of the girl child as fixed deposit with Tamil Nadu Power Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation.

The department has instructed collectors to facilitate Aadhaar enrolment facilities for beneficiaries