The linking of Aadhaar numbers with bank accounts for direct benefit transfer is ‘very low’, according to B.A. Prabhakar, Chairman and Managing Director of Andhra Bank.
Speaking at the State Level Bankers Committee meeting of Andhra Pradesh as its president here, Prabhakar said the Government departments needed to ensure speedy supply of list of beneficiaries along with their Aadhaar numbers to banks.
The direct cash (benefit) transfer scheme was launched in five districts in the State on January 1 as part of a national programme.
The Unique Identity Authority of India (UIDAI) should take up a publicity drive about permanent enrolment centres to step up enrolment, he said.
“On behalf of all banks, SLBC has taken up a publicity drive during December 2012 for opening of accounts an seeding of Aadhaar numbers through advertisements in press radio and television,” he added.
Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy asked banks and officials to step up seeding of Aadhaar and bank accounts.
“In the five districts where the scheme is being implemented, the Aadhaar enrolments are 2.19 crore out of 2.27 crore beneficiaries. Out of these, 1.90 lakh got their Aadhaar numbers generated while only about one crore numbers have been seeded with bank accounts,” he said.
He also said banks should surpass targets fixed for the agricultural lending in the current financial year.
“There is a need to scale up quantum of finance to agriculture and allied sectors,” he added.