PUNE: The state government plans to set up a Unified Citizen Data Center (UCDH) containing a wide range of information on individuals to help streamline the transfer of social benefits and plan more schemes.
“The tender for the project is out, and the aim is to ensure that beneficiaries are not asked to prove their eligibility and to ensure that no one is left behind while the deployment programs is announced,” said Aseem Gupta, IT Secretary (additional charge).

Citizens should obtain a separate ID from the Maharashtra Direct Benefit Transfer (MahaDBT) portal, which will help the government to target people through schemes and monitor existing ones.
The government is expected to create this platform after merging 56 databases across 377 local departments and agencies. The government believes the hub will help check irregularities in welfare schemes, Gupta said.
Currently, Maharashtra uses the MahaDBT portal to transfer benefits and grants as well as scholarships, loan waivers, agricultural support, etc.
Gupta said the fundamental purpose of creating such a hub is to ensure that beneficiaries are not asked to prove their eligibility again and again and that no beneficiary is left out of the system.
“The goal is to ensure that budgeting and planning become data-driven, not speculative,” he added.
The hub will cut out middlemen, ensuring schemes don’t become gifts but entitlements, the officer said. Another officer said the hub will help reduce irregularities in welfare schemes.
Currently, the state uses the Maharashtra Direct Benefit Transfer (MahaDBT) portal to transfer benefits and grants.
Government officials believe it would be difficult to coordinate with multiple ministries, as beneficiary details are often scattered. Incomplete beneficiary details are a hindrance and the system will help regulate that, officials said.