The beneficiaries under the Anganwadi Services are identified on the basis of Aadhar, which is used as identity document for delivery of services or benefits which brings in transparency and efficiency and enables beneficiaries to get their entitlements.  The beneficiaries not possessing Aadhaar card are assisted by the field functionaries to obtain the Aadhaar card. Till such time, they are provided the services on the basis of alternative identification document.

Following type of Photo ID cards have been allowed by Government of India for availing COVID-19 vaccination at all COVID Vaccination Centres, to ensure that a large basket of photo identity proofs are available for people to avail COVID-19 vaccination. Following Nine Photo Identity Documents can be used by citizens above 18 years of age for registration on Cowin portal.

a. Aadhaar Card

b. Driving License

c. PAN Card

d. Passport

e. Pension Passbook

f. NPR Smart Card

g. Voter ID (EPIC)

h. Unique Disability Identification Card (UDIC)

i. Ration Card with Photo

Following 6 Photo Identity documents can be used by citizens 15-18 years of age for registration on Cowin Portal:

a. Aadhaar Card

b. PAN Card

c. Passport

d. Unique Disability Identification Card (UDIC)

e. Ration Card with Photo

f. Student Photo ID card

Under National COVID-l9 Vaccination Programme, there is provision to facilitate vaccination of persons without prescribed identity cards (including Aadhar Card) through special sessions where 100% vaccination is done through on-site registration by the vaccinator under a special procedure. Government of India has shared a Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) regarding 'COVID-19 Vaccination of Persons without Prescribed Identity Cards through Co-WIN' with all States/UTs in May 2021.

As on 4^thFebruary, 2022, 48.78% of the total doses were administered to women which approximates to the estimated proportion of women in the country's population which is 48%.

Services are provided to the beneficiaries on the basis of alternative identification document, even if they are not possessing Aadhar Card.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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