Delay in authentication of Aadhaar with SATS deprives 26 lakh students of various government programmes in Karnataka

A teacher teaching toddlers at a government school in Hubballi. For proper implementation of the midday meal programme, scholarships and other schemes, and to obtain accurate information about the number of students, the DSEL has undertaken the task of authentication of the Aadhaar number along with the SATS of the students.
| Photo Credit: Kiran Bakale

Around 26 lakh primary and high school students of government, aided and private schools across Karnataka are being deprived of midday meals, scholarships and other schemes due to failure of Aadhaar authentication with the Student Achievement Tracking System (SATS).

The Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) has expressed its displeasure over the delay in completing the Aadhaar authentication despite the process being underway for the last two years. The Commissioner of Public Instruction has decided to take disciplinary action against the officials responsible for this delay. Seven days have been given to complete the Aadhaar authentication process.

For proper implementation of the midday meal programme, scholarships and other schemes, and to obtain accurate information about the number of students, the DSEL has undertaken the task of authentication of the Aadhaar number along with the SATS of the students over the past two years.

Out of a total 1.04 crore students in the State from classes 1 to 10, only 78 lakh students have successfully completed the Aadhaar authentication. Around 18 lakh students’ Aadhaar has not been authenticated in the software so far. In addition, about 8 lakh students’ Aadhaar authentication was done, but it was considered unsuccessful because the student’s name and other information did not match with Aadhaar and SATS.

Scholarship programmes affected

A meeting was held recently with officials of the Social Welfare Department and DSEL to inform that around 2.6 lakh students are facing problems as they cannot apply for scholarships due to failure of Aadhaar authentication with SATS.

“Failure of Aadhaar authentication with SATS will affect implementation of the midday meal and other programmes for school students. If the number of students is not accurate, the Union Government will object to release of funds. In addition, other departments, including the Social Welfare Department, Backward Classes Welfare Department and Minority Welfare Department, will not be able to reach the students with other schemes, including scholarships. Aadhaar authentication with SATS is the only solution for all these problems,” said a senior official of DSEL.

K.V. Trilokchandra, Commissioner of DPI, has issued a circular to all the Deputy Directors of Public Instruction (DDPIs), Block Education Officers (BEOs) and other officials of the department to complete the process of Aadhaar authentication within the time frame.

Dr. Trilokchandra told The Hindu, “Earlier, about 35 lakh students were not authenticated with Aadhaar. Aadhaar authentication is mandatory with SATS to deliver various government schemes to children. The Aadhaar authentication process has been simplified recently and all students Aadhaar authentication with SATS process will be completed soon.”