The Tamil Nadu government has issued a key clarification on documentation for the Anna Seer scheme, stating that beneficiaries must provide an Aadhaar number to receive assistance under the programme.
According to the Government Order issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Women’s Rights, eligible women are provided an 8-gram 22-carat gold coin and a silk saree at the time of their marriage. The scheme is implemented through the Directorate of Social Welfare.
Women seeking benefits must submit proof of having an Aadhaar number or complete the Aadhaar authentication process. Those who do not have Aadhaar, or have not applied so far, have been asked to apply for enrolment before registering for the scheme, using Aadhaar enrolment centres listed on the UIDAI website.
If enrolment centres are not accessible and applicants face difficulties, the concerned department has been instructed to organise enrolment camps at convenient locations. Until an Aadhaar number is allotted, applicants may submit an Aadhaar enrolment slip or alternative identity documents such as a photo bank/post office passbook, PAN card, passport, ration card, voter ID, MGNREGA job card, photo Kisan passbook, driving licence, or photo ID certificates/cards issued by government authorities.
The order also notes that if fingerprint quality prevents authentication, verification should be enabled through iris capture or face authentication. If these methods fail, the QR code on the Aadhaar letter may be used for verification, and if all procedures fail, the Central government’s exception-handling guidelines must be followed.
