New database to spread welfare schemes

Dr Amod Kumar,head of the department of Community Medicine at St Stephen’s Hospital and in charge of the survey process,said the software helps locate each of the 41.66 lakh individuals across around 9 lakh households in the city,and gives the government access to a database that never existed so clearly on government records.

“The idea of the mission was to put various vulnerable groups on the map. The system,which was developed while compiling the results,does exactly that,” Kumar said,He added that the database has already been used to register citizens for the Rashtriya Swasthaya Bima Yogna launched by the Centre.

According to Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta who chairs the mission,the scheme also involves creating a single register for all government entitlement schemes.

“Upon launching the mission,we realised we need a survey to identify people for whom the mission exists. Once we have the survey in place and are able to identify the people who are entitled to benefits under the government’s welfare schemes,we will issue smart cards to them,” Mehta said.

Rashmi Singh,Mission director,said: “These smart cards would carry all relevant information pertaining to the beneficiary and his/her family and also about the benefits due to the card-holder with regard to the schemes he/she fits in.”

Mehta added that with the central government beginning a biometric I-card system at the national level,the government will work in consultation with the Centre before introducing the smart card in the city. “We hope to complete the survey by November this year,” he added.

The Mission’s first anniversary will be celebrated on August 14.

Identifying vulnerable groups

* The Samajik Suvidha Sangam survey is being carried out in two phases. The first phase was conducted in F and G Colonies,categoried as slums and unauthorised colonies.

* According to the figures provided by the government,of the 41,66,896 people surveyed,there are around 3,49,448 people who fall in the most vulnerable social group. There are about 15,000 homeless in Delhi and 3,99,122 people who are Below Poverty Line