The United Nations on Thursday praised India’s Aadhaar initiative as a “critical step” in improving accessibility to government facilities, PTI reported. A report by the international organisation said the programme had “tremendous potential” in increasing the inclusion of the poorest and most marginalised people.

The 2016 Report on the World Social Situation, released by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs on Wednesday, said, “India’s decision to launch the Aadhaar programme in 2010 by enrolling the biometric-identifying data of all its citizens was a critical step in enabling fairer access of the people to government benefits and services.” Over 108.27 crore Aadhaar cards have been issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India, the news agency reported.

While highlighting inequalities in education and other sectors, the report challenges nations to address barriers that exclude the financially weak. The report, with the theme “Leaving No One Behind – The Imperative of Inclusive Development”, calls for a revision of legislation, “policies, institutional practices, discriminatory attitudes and behaviours” for mass participation.