UID gets rolling from Tembhli village in Maharashtra

Ten adivasis from the tribal hamlet of Tembhli in Maharashtra today became the first Indian citizens to receive the Unique Identity Numbers from prime minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, who said the UID programme would help the government ensure that the benefits of welfare projects go to the poor.

The function was attended by Maharashtra governor K Shankaranarayanan, chief minister Ashok Chavan, planning commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Alhuwalia and UIDAI chief Nandan Nilekani.

In his address at the function, prime minister said the issuance of unique identity cards was the beginning of a massive drive for the welfare of the common man.

''The poor did not have any identity proof. Due to this shortcoming, they could not open bank accounts or get ration cards. They could not avail the benefits of government welfare programmes because of this and many times, these benefits were pocketed by others,'' Singh said.

He added the biggest beneficiaries of the programme would be people who are economically and socially backward.

''We will give every opportunity to help our poor, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes people live a dignified life,'' he said.