PRAYAGRAJ, July 12 -- Government aid meant for 48,389 students enrolled in Prayagraj's government-run primary and upper primary schools has been held up due to delays or issues in Aadhaar verification. These students were supposed to receive Rs.1,200 each through direct benefit transfer (DBT) for the purchase of school essentials such as sweaters, bags, shoes, socks, and stationery. This financial aid is sent by the state basic education department directly into the bank accounts of the parents of the students. However, due to incomplete or missing Aadhaar details, the funds have not been disbursed, concede officials of the district basic education department. According to a report dated July 2, a total of 3,31,868 students are registered in Classes 1 to 8 of government-run schools functioning under the Basic Education Council across the district. Of these, 1,985 students' Aadhaar cards are yet to be verified, while 21,162 do not have an Aadhaar card at all, officials said. The Aadhaar verification of 38,390 students is pending at the teacher level, 17,228 cases are pending at the school level, and 550 cases are stuck at the block education officer level, they added. Officials said that additionally, 7,246 students' bank accounts are not linked with their Aadhaar numbers, and 2,203 cases are under further scrutiny because the guardians have more than three children, requiring re-verification as per set norms. In response, Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA), Prayagraj, Devbrat Singh, has issued strict instructions to all block education officers, directing them to ensure 100% Aadhaar verification of all students enrolled for the 2025-26 academic session within one week. For students without Aadhaar cards, BEOs have been told to issue notices to the school principals concerned. These principals must submit a detailed report within three days, explaining the reasons for the delay in Aadhaar enrollment and outlining the steps being taken to resolve the issue, he said....