Aadhar to be linked to e-locker of documents

Applying for any government document? Imagine being able to access all papers required for the service through an Aadhaar linked online repository which will store all important certificates like those related to birth, passport and educational qualifications.

Soon, if a citizen is applying online for any service, the concerned government department can easily pull out these documents from the e-locker and add any fresh document applied for by the applicant in this repository. The state IT department is working on a "preliminary prototype" in this regard.

In cases where people are applying offline for services or documents, they will be able to take printouts of certificates from the digital locker instead of running around with the physical documents, which can put them at a risk of damage.

"The project has been experimentally rolled out... This is at a conceptual stage and will take take around three weeks to mature," Maharashtra principal secretary (IT) Rajesh Aggarwal told dna. He added that they had operationalised the https://elocker.maharashtra.gov.in website on an "experimental basis."

Over nine crore of Maharashtra's 11.23 crore population has enrolled for Aadhaar. The system will have built-in features like a mobile based one time password (OTP) and the department is also working on strong authentication features, like a biometric OTP, to ensure that there is no compromise on privacy.

Aggarwal said people could scan and upload certificates and documents required while applying for any government service or job into this online repository. The government department to which the application is being made can pull out the required document like the latest electricity bill, passport or degree certificate from this digital locker.

"If the form is being filled up for a document like a driving license, this (license) too shall be uploaded in the repository," explained Aggarwal, adding that the project was part of the Centre's 'Digital India' programme. The authentication built into the process will also eliminate fake mark sheets and documents.

Several government departments and undertakings have made online applications available. For instance, the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) and Mahaonline have enabled online applications for government recruitments.

"We are working with the government of India for a country-wide digital locker," said Aggarwal, adding that the state was also launching e-KYC and home delivery of verification of life certificates for pensioners, which would help provide verification and authentication services to senior citizens at their doorstep.