Modi wants single data bank for all Central schemes
Centre spends Rs 7 lakh crores on 50 welfare schemes
Plugged leakages worth Rs two lakh crores
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed the Cabinet Secretariat to create a centralized Data Bank of all beneficiaries of welfare schemes fully funded by the Centre. There are more than 50 such central government schemes in operation at the moment and Rs 3.83 lakh crores were spent during 2022-23. During 2023-24, the government has set aside nearly Rs five lakh crores in the Union Budget. The PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana cost the centre another Rs 2 lakh crores.
In addition to these 50 schemes, the PM is also keen to use the data generated under the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme launched during the Covid era and continuing to benefit 80 crore people.
These schemes are implemented by various ministries of the Union government such as Ayushman Bharat (Health), PM-KISAN (Agriculture) MNREGAS (Rural Development), E-Shram (Labour), Ujjawala (Petroleum), PM-Awas (Housing Ministry and Rural development), Jal Jeevan Mission (Jal Shakti) Atal Pension Yojna, Jan Dhan Yojana among others.
At least 80% of such beneficiaries have their Aadhar Cards who take advantage of respective state governments as well. Once the ONORC data bank is ready and merged with other schemes, the government will know who all have been left out.
The Central government funds 100% of its Core Schemes while some schemes are funded in the ratio of 60:40 by the centre and states. However, in 8 North Eastern states, the sharing pattern is 90:10. There are Optional Schemes which are funded in the ratio of 50:50 by the Centre and states.
With the advent of new technology, the creation of a central data bank of all such schemes will be smooth and achievable by December 2023. Obviously, this massive data bank will help the government to knock at the doors of these beneficiaries. The PM is keen to plug leakages in funds allocated under these schemes. The Centre has saved more than Rs 2 lakh crores by plugging leakages using technology and benefits reach those who actually need them.
