Singh said that an Aadhaar card can be issued to anyone in just five minutes. Screengrab: ANI
'Voter ID will replace Aadhaar for govt scheme payments': Union Minister Lalan Singh
Singh said beneficiary payments would instead be processed using biometrics and voter ID (EPIC) numbers, but did not specify which government schemes would be covered
Aadhaar cards will be replaced by voter ID (EPIC) numbers as the main document for payments to government scheme benefices, Union Minister of Panchayati Raj, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh, alias Lalan Singh has said.
Lalan Singh announces proposed change
The minister, according to a report in the Indian Express, made the remarks recently during the National Workshop on People’s Plan Campaign 2026-27, an event organized by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
“I would like to add that the Aadhaar card will no longer serve as the basis for making payments to beneficiaries. Aadhaar-enrolment centres are now everywhere, you can find one in every street. An Aadhaar card can be issued to anyone in just five minutes,” said Singh.
Also Read: SC issues notice on plea against Aadhaar being used as citizenship and residence proof
“The Aadhaar card will no longer be the basis. Instead, payments to beneficiaries will be processed using their biometrics and their voter ID (EPIC) number),” he added.
However, the Union Minister did not divulge any information regarding which schemes would come under the new process.
Calls for stronger panchayat revenue generation
Singh also urged stakeholders for active participation in the goal of Atmanirbhar Panchayats (self-reliant panchayats) and Viksit Panchayats (developed panchayats). He further stated that panchayats should boost their own source-revenue generation to qualify for receiving performance grants.
Also Read: Meet 'Udai', the new official Aadhaar mascot to simplify services
The report further stated that although there are no schemes scheme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj where money is directly credited to the beneficiary’s bank account, there are some schemes under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, also headed by Singh, where Aadhaar is a mandatory document for receiving the payment.
CPI(M) objects to proposed voter ID requirement
The CPI(M) slammed the proposal alleging that it would intensify the impact of deletions during SIR and further marginalise the rural poor.
“It is estimated that more than 13.4 crore voters have been excluded, with marginalised communities, Muslims, women, and the economically vulnerable disproportionately impacted. Now, demanding Voter ID for welfare will make these schemes even more exclusive,” the party’s Politburo said in a statement.
It further alleged that making voter ID mandatory for receiving payments under government schemes would restrict people’s access to the befits.