Will await Centre's advice on Aadhaar-linked schemes: Sheila Dikshit

NEW DELHI: With Supreme Court ruling that social benefits cannot be denied to those without Aadhaar cards, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today said her government was examining the issue and would wait for guidance on it from the Centre.

"99 per cent of the citizens of Delhi have Aadhaar cards. We have spent crores of rupees on it. We will wait for the Centre's guidance.

"If we are allowed to link social schemes with Aadhaar, then we will do it. But as of now, we will wait," she said.

Delhi government had made possession of Aadhaar cards mandatory for availing of various government services.

Delhi government had launched its ambitious 'Dilli Annashree Yojana' scheme in December last year under which 1.20 lakh beneficiaries are being given a monthly cash subsidy of Rs 600.

The money is transferred directly into the Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of the senior-most female member of the beneficiary families.

In implementing the food security programme launched on August 20, the government had decided to include those people who have Aadhaar cards.

Delhi government had taken an in-principle decision to link all its welfare schemes with the Aadhaar platform to ensure transparency in implementation of the schemes.