For administering its massive Ayushman Bharat, or National Health Mission, that assures a ₹5 lakh health cover to 10 crore families the aadhaar card has been made mandatory. The Centre has published a gazette notification that makes Aadhar mandatory for beneficiaries under its annual health insurance coverage.
“A beneficiary eligible for receiving the benefits under the scheme shall be required to furnish proof of possession of Aadhar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication,” it reads.
Those who do not have Aadhar need to apply by March While possessing an Aadhaar card is not mandatory to avail services, a proof of enrolment, or request for enrolment, is mandatory to avail the scheme which is scheduled to roll out this August, the report said.
The scheme assures Rs 5 lakh health cover to 10 crore families, the daily said, adding that beneficiary desirous of availing the benefits under the scheme, who is not yet enrolled for Aadhaar, shall have to apply for Aadhaar by March 31, 2019.
Indu Bhushan, CEO of Ayushman Bharat, however, said that “lack of Aadhaar enrollment is not going to delay the launch or be an impediment” in rolling out the scheme. “Any notification to this effect would be aspirational at this point of time. We have very clearly given other options,” he said. Those without Aadhaar can show their ration card or voter ID card upon their first visit, following which they would be expected to enrol for Aadhaar, he said.
States have been asked to give “wide publicity” through media and “individual notices” to beneficiaries to make them aware of the requirement of Aadhaar under the scheme and that they may be advised to get themselves enrolled at the nearest Aadhaar enrollment centre available in their areas by March 31, 2019, in case they are already not enrolled, as per the health ministry order. “The list of locally available enrolment centers shall be made available to them,” the order said.