NEW DELHI: The Aadhaar number is all set to become an alternative for all online and card transactions which require password and PIN. Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is developing a mobile app that can be used by shopkeepers, merchants or individuals for receiving payments.
The move is part of the drive, anchored by Niti Aayog, to make India a cashless economy after the government scrapped high-value currency notes on November 8. Among other measures, the government is also working on a policy to disincentivise cash transactions and facilitate digital payments.
A B Pandey, CEO of UIDAI, explained that online transactions can be executed between two people having bank accounts linked with Aadhaar by just feeding the 12-digit unique identification number in the mobile set equipped with the Aadhaar-enabled app which will be used for authenticating biometrics — fingerprints or iris of person making payment.
Pandey said the Andhra Pradesh government is using the Aadhaar-enabled system in fair price shops. "Aadhaar-enabled transactions are card-less and PINless," Pandey said, adding that people have foreseen Aadhaar’s role in online transactions which is reflected in the huge jump in enrolments. Enrolments have jumped to 7 lakh a day from 4-5 lakh per day after November 8.
Pandey said the government is working with mobile manufacturers for producing mobile sets equipped with technology to authenticate biometrics which can enable Aadhaar-based transactions. A massive campaign is going to be launched to create awareness among merchants.
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