777 - Will the ambitious Aadhaar be truly transformational?

Will the ambitious Aadhaar be truly transformational?
Published On: October 21, 2010 | Duration: 18 min, 15 sec

776 - UID enabled India is a daunting task. - Video of Nandan Nilekani Live -

776 - UID enabled India is a daunting task. - Video of Nandan Nilekani Live -

775 - UID numbers soon for schoolchildren - The Hindu

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
SHARE  ·   PRINT  ·   T+ 
Human Resource Development Ministry and UIDAI sign Memorandum of Understanding

 NEW INITIATIVE: Minister for Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal (third from left) and Unique Identification Authority of India Chairman Nandan Nilekani (second from right) watch as Joint Secretary in the HRD Ministry Amit Khare (second from left) and UIDAI Deputy Director Anil Kachi (right) exchange documents in New Delhi on Tuesday. Minister of State D. Purandeswari is seen at left. — Photo: V. Sudershan

All schoolchildren will soon have unique identification numbers (UID), which will help in tracking their movement in educational institutions and academic records.

This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Human Resource Development and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) here on Wednesday.

The system will help in tracking students' mobility by creating an electronic registry, right from the primary level through secondary and higher education, as also between the institutions.

ll schoolchildren will soon have unique identification numbers (UID), which will help in tracking their movement in educational institutions and academic records.

This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Human Resource Development and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) here on Wednesday.

The system will help in tracking students' mobility by creating an electronic registry, right from the primary level through secondary and higher education, as also between the institutions. Imprinting of the UID number on the performance records of students, including mark-sheets, merit certificates and migration certificates, will be helpful to prospective employers and educational institutions.

The UID number will also help in dealing with problems such as fake degrees. It could be utilised while dematting of academic certificates, as also education loans and scholarship schemes.

Iris scanning would be done for children aged between 5 and 15, while finger print marks would be added subsequently. Infants and children below the age of five will get the number, but their biometric identification will be done only after the age of five.

Speaking on the occasion, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal said that with the new system, the delivery mechanism would be made more efficient.

Educational uses

The technology would be used for proper implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act and monitoring of the mid-day meal scheme and other school programmes.

The Ministry will cooperate and collaborate with the UIDAI in conducting proof of concept (PoC) studies, pilots to test the working of the technology, process of enrolment into the UID database and identify registrars for implementing the UID project (PoC and pilots).

The Ministry will help ensure that the registrars do all that is necessary to put in place an institutional mechanism to effectively oversee and monitor the implementation of the UID project. They will also provide logistic and liaison support to the staff and representatives of the UIDAI.

The MoU was signed by Amit Khare, Joint Secretary in the HRD Ministry, and Anil Kachi, Deputy Director of UIDAI, signed the MoU in the presence of Mr. Sibal and UIDAI Chairman Nandan Nilekani.

School dropouts

Mr. Nilekani noted that the UID would be particularly helpful in tracking school dropouts and migrant students, thereby making access to education possible.

“We are already running a programme for enrolment of homeless people in Delhi that will automatically include children who are out of school,” he said.

The government set up the UIDAI for issuing UID numbers to all residents of India, based on the demographic and biometric data of individuals.

The UIDAI will develop and prescribe standards for recording data fields, data verification and biometric fields, prescribe a process for enrolment of beneficiaries/students to authenticate the identity of a person with a UID number.

774 - UIDAI to build e-registry of students - Deccan Herald

New Delhi, Oct 27, DHNS:

The HRD Ministry and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create an electronic registry of all students right from primary/elementary level to secondary and higher education levels.

The registry would also be helpful in tracking students’ mobility and the imprinting of the UID number on performance record of individual students, such as marksheets, merit certificates, migration certificates, etc, will be of help to prospective employers and educational institutions.

The MoU was signed by HRD Ministry Joint Secretary Amit Khare and UIDAI Deputy Director-General Anil Kachi in the presence of HRD Minister Kapil Sibal and UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani.

The imprinting of UID numbers on performance records will also help in tracking problems of fake degrees. The number can also be utilised in facilitating education loans and scholarship schemes as well as in the implementation of the mid-day meals scheme.

773 - MHRD * UIDAI Join Hands fro tracking Students Mobility

 By Dr. Jamshed A. Siddiqui

The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of Mr. Kapil Sibal, Union Minister of Human Resource Development and Mr. Nandan Nilekani, Chairman, UIDAI in New Delhi today. Mr. Amit Khare, Joint Secretary in the MHRD signed the MOU on behalf of his Ministry and Mr. Anil Kachi, Deputy Director General signed on behalf of UIDAI.

The proposed MOU would be helpful in tracking student’s mobility by creating an electronic registry of all students, right from primary/elementary level through secondary and higher education, as also between the institutions. Imprinting of UID number on performance record of individual students (marksheets, merit certificates, migration certificates) will also be helpful to prospective employers and educational institutions. UID number will help in tracking problems of fake degrees. UID can also be utilized while dematting of academic certificates as also education loan and scholarship schemes. It would also be useful in the implementation of Mid-Day Meal Scheme.

The MHRD will co-operate and collaborate with the UIDAI in conducting proof of concept (PoC) studies, pilots to test the working of the technology and process of enrolment into the UID database, identify Registrars for the implementation of the UID project (PoC and pilots). The ministry will help ensure that the Registrar shall do all that is necessary to effectively complete the PoCs and pilots; and put in place an institutional mechanism to effectively oversee and monitor the implementation of the UID project and provide logistic and liaison support to the staff and representatives of UIDAI.

The Government has set up the UIDAI for the issuing of UID number to all the residents of India, based on demographic and biometric data of the individual. UIDAI will develop and prescribe standards for recording data fields, data verification and biometric fields, prescribe a process for enrolment of beneficiaries/students to authenticate the identity of a person with a UID number.

Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India, October 27, 2010

772 - HRD, UIDAI pact to check bogus certificates

New Delhi, Oct 27 (INN): The Ministry of Human Resource Development and Unique Identification Authority of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of Union Minister of Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal and UIDAI Chairman Nandan Nilekani on Wednesday. Joint Secretary Amit Khare signed the MOU on behalf of the HRD Ministry and Deputy Director General Anil Kachi signed on behalf of UIDAI.

The proposed MOU would be helpful in tracking student’s mobility by creating an electronic registry of all students, right from primary/elementary level through secondary and higher education, as also between the institutions. Imprinting of UID number on performance record of individual students (mark-sheets, merit certificates, migration certificates) will also be helpful to prospective employers and educational institutions. UID number will help in tracking problems of fake degrees. UID can also be utilized while dematting of academic certificates as also education loan and scholarship schemes. It would also be useful in the implementation of Mid-Day Meal Scheme.

The HRD Ministry will co-operate and collaborate with the UIDAI in conducting proof of concept (PoC) studies, pilots to test the working of the technology and process of enrolment into the UID database, identify Registrars for the implementation of the UID project (PoC and pilots). The ministry will help ensure that the Registrar shall do all that is necessary to effectively complete the PoCs and pilots; and put in place an institutional mechanism to effectively oversee and monitor the implementation of the UID project and provide logistic and liaison support to the staff and representatives of UIDAI.

The Government has set up the UIDAI for the issuing of UID number to all the residents of India, based on demographic and biometric data of the individual. Unique Identification Authority of India will develop and prescribe standards for recording data fields, data verification and biometric fields, prescribe a process for enrolment of beneficiaries/students to authenticate the identity of a person with a UID number.

771 - UIDAI to create an electronic registry of all students - Frontier India

By Frontier India | October 27th, 2010 

UIDAI will create an electronic registry of all students. A Mou to the effect was signed by HRD Ministry Unique Identification Authority of India. The proposed MOU would be helpful in tracking student’s mobility by creating an electronic registry of all students, right from primary/elementary level through secondary and higher education, as also between the institutions. Imprinting of UID number on performance record of individual students (marksheets, merit certificates, migration certificates) will also be helpful to prospective employers and educational institutions. UID number will help in tracking problems of fake degrees. UID can also be utilized while dematting of academic certificates as also education loan and scholarship schemes. It would also be useful in the implementation of Mid-Day Meal Scheme.

The HRD Ministry will co-operate and collaborate with the UIDAI in conducting proof of concept (PoC) studies, pilots to test the working of the technology and process of enrolment into the UID database, identify Registrars for the implementation of the UID project (PoC and pilots). The ministry will help ensure that the Registrar shall do all that is necessary to effectively complete the PoCs and pilots; and put in place an institutional mechanism to effectively oversee and monitor the implementation of the UID project and provide logistic and liaison support to the staff and representatives of UIDAI.

The Government has set up the UIDAI for the issuing of UID number to all the residents of India, based on demographic and biometric data of the individual. Unique Identification Authority of India will develop and prescribe standards for recording data fields, data verification and biometric fields, prescribe a process for enrolment of beneficiaries/students to authenticate the identity of a person with a UID number.

770 - Iris ID’s iris recognition platform certified for India’s ID program

IrisAccess® iCAM TD100 non-contact iris recognition camera will help India UIDAI
Identify 1.2 billion people and improve delivery of benefits to underserved individuals.

Cranbury, NJ, USA – October 12, 2010 – Iris ID Systems Inc., formerly LG Electronics, Iris Technology Division, a leading provider of iris biometric technology, announced today that it has been certified as a Biometric Service Provider to India's Unique Identification Number (UID) ADHAAR project.

In announcing that the company’s IrisAccess® iCAM TD100 system for the ADHAAR project would be included in the world’s largest electronic ID program, Charles Koo, President and CEO, Iris ID Systems Inc , said, “We are naturally delighted that our platform has been certified for this important application and even more pleased that our technology will be part of an initiative designed to improve the quality of life and the delivery of critical services to millions of people.”

IrisAccess iCAM TD100 is a portable multi modal face/iris image capturing, USB-enabled device that is suitable for bundling with a mobile jump-kit when used at the registration offices and sites. With its proven reliability, accuracy and high-speed image capturing, the device is a very good fit for the UIDAI project. Fully automatic dual iris image capture and quality analysis routines are available as a part of the SDK API set for the field application of the iCAMTD100 from Iris ID website. Iris and face capture are performed by the operator extending their arm to 30 inches for the face capture and 15 inches for the iris capture. The integrated framing function provides feedback for the capture of a properly formatted ISO/ICAO face image.

According to Nandan Nilekeni, Chairman of the UID Authority and founder Infosys Technologies, "This is a project that has significant transformational capabilities. It will allow us to channelize all subsidies efficiently…it can promote financial inclusion; and it can help us provide social security.”

About Iris ID Systems Inc.

Iris ID Systems Inc., formerly a division of LG Electronics USA known as LG IRIS, has been active in iris recognition research, development and production since 1997. Today U.S.-based Iris ID Systems is a proven global leader in the iris recognition market. IrisAccess™ is the world’s most widely deployed iris recognition platform, used in thousands of locations authenticating the identities of millions of people. More people look to IrisAccess™ for iris-based authentication than to all other iris recognition products combined. To find out more about Iris ID, visit www.irisid.com, and to download literature on the versatile TD100, just click on this link iCAM TD100.

769 - Letters to the Editor - Mumbai Mirror

UID comes from Kargil
UIDAI says that UID is not a fallout of 26/11. True indeed! It originates from the Kargil War.  The Kargil war committee of Subramanyam recommended the issuing of ID cards to people in border areas to prevent such infiltration and extend it to the whole country to combat terrorism. This is ridiculous, since militants do not come with ID cards, but with AK-47s, and possession of ID cards or citizenship does not prevent one from becoming a terrorist.
— Mathew Thomas
 

Misinformation on UID
The UIDAI chairman, Nandan Nilekani, has misinformed people about the UID in the interview (Mumbai Mirror, Oct 10).One of the points was: Discussions with civil society organizations. It is unfortunate that UIDAI does not know the meaning of discussions. An invited-only meeting was called by UIDAI on May 6. There were so many issues that came up, that probably because of that, UIDAI just gave up on further civil society meetings.
— Dr Samir Kelekar
 

UID, a good project
With reference to your interview with the chairman of UID, Nandan Nilekeni, I wish to highlight a few points on the subject of human rights and privacy etc,.
1. Mobile numbers (private operators mostly) are available at a throw away price.
2. The details of all private clubs, hotel memberships are also available at a premium price.
 

The privacy question should also apply to the Social Security Number of USA. Kindly understand, UID is identifying you as a citizen of the country, where are you registered etc.
— Srikant S

768 - Eight young achievers get awards for unique initiatives - IBN Live

PTI | 01:10 AM,Oct 26,2010
 

New Delhi, Oct 25 (PTI) Eight young achievers, including an MBA educated woman 'sarpanch', the creator of the new rupee symbol, and a cycle-rickshaw entrepreneur, were today awarded for their unique initiatives they implemented across the country. 

29-year-old IIM Ahmedabad graduate Irfan Alam, who had equipped cycle rickshaws in Bihar with music, magazines and refreshments, also bagged a gift of UID numbers and bank accounts for almost 5-lakh rickshaws under his organisation from UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani, who was the chief guest at the event. "In some sense, we have a unique opportunity as we are a young country in an ageing world. The young people now are very confident and aspirational. I truly believe in their capabilities," Nilekani said while giving away the 'Young Indian Leaders' award to the eight individuals which was brought out by the Network 18 media group. 

33-year-old Akhil Gogoi from Assam, an environment activist who received the award, said many projects were being implemented by corporate houses in his state which adversely affect the environment. 30-year-old Chhavi Rajawat, who is a 'sarpanch' (village head) of Soda village in Rajasthan said that her education at the Delhi University and later a Business Management degree taught her to tackle challenges with an affirmative approach. 

Aga Ruhullah (34), the youngest minister in Jammu and Kashmir's cabinet said that the people of the state need "opportunities with peace which is covered with dignity". "We will have to change our thinking to find a solution to the Kashmir issue," Ruhullah said. 

The youngest Indian women to have conquered Mt Everest, Krushnaa Patil, recounted that like other famed mountaineers the only thought that came in her mind at the moment of her scaling the summit was the worry of getting down. "But on a serious note, the moment was quiet and beautiful for me," she said while receiving her award. 

The other awardees included IIT Mumbai graduate D Udaya kumar who gave the Indian Rupee its new symbol recently, 32-year-old Bangalore based Indrani Medhi who has developed a text-free user interface that allows an illiterate person to interact with the computer and world famous sand artist from Orissa Sudarsan Pattnaik.

767 - Aadhar offers a lot for the Indian IT industry - The Hindu

V. SRIDHAR
Several top companies are hitched to the project in one way or the other

Aadhar, the Unique Identification Authority of India's (UIDAI) flagship project, is better known for its promise to prevent “leakages” from the Indian welfare system. However, irrespective of whether it will provide deliverance to the masses, it is clear that India's biggest e-governance initiative also offers a lot for Indian companies, particularly those working in the information technology (IT) space.

The Aadhar project, running into thousands of crores, offers many opportunities for IT companies, both in terms of hardware as well as software that will run the system on a perpetual basis. The equipment at each enrolment centres costs about Rs. 3 lakh, according to senior sources in the authority. Multiply this by about 350-400 and you get a sense of what it costs for a single district. In effect, enrolment in a single district will cost between Rs. 10 crore and Rs. 12 crore. This does not include the cost borne by the State machinery in actually getting people to enrol, the logistics or the administrative expenses.

Information available from the UIDAI shows that many of the top Indian IT firms have logged on to the Aadhar project in one way or the other. Satyam Computer Services Ltd., the once venerable IT company that now functions from the Mahindra stable, is supplying “biometric solutions” for the authority. The biometric readers are themselves supplied by L1 Identity Solutions, an American company, which has been supplying similar equipment to the U.S. Department for Homeland Security. Accenture, the global outsourcing solutions major, has also won a contract to implement biometric solutions for the Authority.

Incidentally, advertising company, Percept, is among the entities that have won contracts from the UIDAI for developing “creative content”. Bharti Airtel is to supply space for the authority's data centre in Bangalore. Companies such as Tata Consultancy Services have won multiple contracts. The firm has won a contract to provide “biometric solutions” as well as for “redesigning, development, maintenance and support of the UIDAI's Web portal”. In February 2010, Ernst and Young Consultancy Services won the contract to assist the UIDAI in setting up its Central ID Data Repository and as a provider of managed services.

The list mentioned is not exhaustive. It is only meant to illustrate that many of the leading IT companies are hitched to the massive project in some way or the other. The massive expenditure on the project provides some kind of insurance from the capricious ways of the global market. Aadhar, is in effect a stimulus by another name.

766 - Identity Project's Public Lists - diigo

Business Standard 38 items, 5 visits
This List archives Business Standard and focuses on Updates specific to the UIDAI
Updated on 2010-10-21, Created on 2010-08-23
 

Economic Times 99 items, 6 visits
This List follows and archives the Economic Times for News and updates on the UIDAI
Updated on 2010-10-24, Created on 2010-08-24
 

Frontline 5 items, 3 visits
This List follows Frontline for news and updates on the 

UIDAI
Updated on 2010-10-02, Created on 2010-08-21
 

Hindu - Businessline 73 items, 3 visits
This List Follows the Hindu Businessline for news and updates specific to developments on the UIDAI Project and archives them.
Updated on 2010-10-12, Created on 2010-08-21
 

hindustan times 37 items, 4 visits

This list Follows the Hindustan Times for news and updates on the UIDAI
Updated about 20 hours ago, Created on 2010-08-29
Inclusion 9 items, 1 visits
Follows Inclusion.in for Articles on Food Security, Financial Inclusion, Regulation, UID, and other related news.
Updated on 2010-10-21, Created on 2010-10-21
 

India Today 16 items, 3 visits
This List Follows the Online Version of the India Today Magazine for Developments on the UIDAI Project.
Updated about 20 hours ago, Created on 2010-09-05
 

Indian Express 16 items, 1 visits
This list follows The Indian Express for News and Updates on the Unique Identity project
Updated on 2010-10-22, Created on 2010-09-01
 

Livemint 23 items, 2 visits

This List Follows Livemint for updates and on the UID Project in India for The Identity Project at the Centre for the Study of Culture and Society, Bangalore.
Updated on 2010-09-30, Created on 2010-09-11
 

Moneylife 27 items, 2 visits
This List specifically follows Moneylife for news, updates and opinion pieces on the Unique Identity Project in India.
Updated on 2010-10-12, Created on 2010-08-28
 

On Surveillance 3 items, 1 visits
Follows Media Articles related to Surveillance in the World Press as well as related to the UID UIDAI Aadhaar NATGRID in India.
Updated on 2010-10-02, Created on 2010-10-02
 

Outlook 20 items, 2 visits
List Follows reports, news and writings on the UIDAI in Outlook. Also note some writings of Nandan Nilekani.
Updated on 2010-10-16, Created on 2010-09-21
 

Press Information Bureau 4 items, 2 visits
Follows the Press Information Bureau for developments on the UIDAI
Updated on 2010-10-02, Created on 2010-09-09
 

Tehelka 1 items, 0 visits
Updated on 2010-09-18, Created on 2010-09-18
 

The Financial Express 18 items, 2 visits
This List archives news and updates on the UID Project in the Financial Express
Updated on 2010-10-22, Created on 2010-09-01
 

The Hindu 86 items, 5 visits
This List follows The Hindu for developments on the Unique Identity Project of India.
Updated on 2010-10-20, Created on 2010-08-21
 

The Times Of India 32 items, 3 visits
This List archives The times of India News and OP-Eds concerning the UIDAI project
Updated on 2010-10-21, Created on 2010-08-28
 

UIDAI 23 items, 4 visits
Follows General Reportage on the UID.
Updated about 6 hours ago, Created on 2010-08-20
 

UIDAI Official Documents 2 items, 1 visits
Updated on 2010-10-12, Created on 2010-09-08
 

UIDAI Related News in World News/Press 24 items, 0 visits
Updated on 2010-10-22, Created on 2010-09-16

765 - WIPRO Bags UID Contract for two States- My Digital fc

By Ravi Menon

October 24th 2010

Wipro Technologes has won a managed services provider contract from the Unique Identification Authority
of India (UIDAI) to manage the enrolment process in Jharkhand and Tumkur, Karnataka, under the UID programme.

The respective state registrars for UID enrolment have rolled out the projects. Wipro joint chief executive officer and a member of the board Suresh Vaswani said the projects would see the company carrying out enrolments of approximately five million citizens over the next six months.

“The project will be managed and executed completely by Wipro, leveraging franchisees in rural areas as applicable,” Vaswani said. He did not reveal the financial scope of the contract.

The companies shortlisted so far for the UID programme are Wipro, Accenture Services,HCL Infosystems, HP India Sales, HCL Technologies, IBM India, Mahindra Satyam, TCS and Tech Mahindra.

Wipro executed a similar project for the Employee State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) under the Project Panchdeep, where it integrated all ESIC hospitals and dispensaries across India into a single e-health environment.

764 - On the UIDAI - EPW article

A project that proposes to give every resident a “unique identity number” is a matter of great concern for those working on issues of food security, NREGA, migration,
technology, decentralisation, constitutionalism, civil liberties and human rights. The process of setting up the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has resulted
in very little, if any, discussion about this project and its effects and fallout. It is intended to collect demographic data about all residents in the country.
 

Before it goes any further, we consider it imperative that the following be done:
 

(i) Do a feasibility study: There are claims made in relation to the project, about what it can do for the PDS and NREGA, for instance, which does not reflect any understanding of the situation on the ground. The project documents do not say what other effects the project may have, including its potential to be intrusive and violative
of privacy, who may handle the data.
 

(ii) Do a cost-benefit analysis: It is reported that the UIDAI estimates the project will cost Rs 45,000 crore to the exchequer in the next four years. This does not seem to
include the costs that will be incurred by the registrars, enrollers, the internal systems costs that the PDs system will have to budget if it is to be able to use the UID, the estimated cost to the end user and to the number holder. 

(iii) In a system such as this, a mere statement that the UIDAI will deal with the security of the data is obviously insufficient. How does the UIDAI propose to deal with data theft?
 

(iv) The involvement of firms such as Ernst & Young and Accenture raises further questions about who will have access to the data, and what that means to the people of India. The questions have been raised which have not been addressed so far, including those about:
 

(i) Privacy: It is only now that the Department of Personnel and Training is said to be working on a draft of a privacy law, but nothing is out for discussion, 

(ii) Surveillance: This technology, and the existence of the UID number, and its working, could result in increasing the potential for surveillance,
 

(iii) Profiling, 

(iv) Tracking, and
 

(v) Convergence, by which those with access to state power, as well as companies, could collate information about each individual with the help of the UID number. National IDs have been abandoned in the US, Australia and the uk. The reasons have predominantly been costs and privacy.
If it is too expensive for the US with a population of 308 million, and the UK with 61 million people, and Australia with 21 million people, it is being asked why India thinks it can prioritise its spending in this direction. In the UK the home secretary explained that they were abandoning the
project because it would otherwise be “intrusive bullying” by the State, and that the government intended to be the “servant” of the people, and not their “master”. Is there a lesson in it for us?
 

This is a project that could change the status of the people in this country, with effects on our security and consti tutional
rights. So a consideration of all aspects of the project should be undertaken with this in mind.
 

We, therefore, ask that the project be halted; a feasibility study be done covering all aspects of this issue; experts be tasked with studying its constitutionality; the law on privacy be urgently worked on (this will affect matters way beyond the UID project); a cost-benefi t analysis be done; a public,
informed debate be conducted before any such major change be brought in.


Justice V R Krishna Iyer, 

Romila Thapar,
K G Kannabiran, 

S R Sankaran,
Upendra Baxi,

Shohini Ghosh,
Bezwada Wilson,

Trilochan Sastry,
Jagdeep Chhokar,

Justice A P Shah,
and others.

 
(Based on a statement issued on 28 September)

763 - Inflation fix is UPA’s underbelly - Live Mint

Inflation fix is UPA’s underbelly
 
The only way to bring parity, especially when it comes to dealing with a vital commodity like foodgrain, is to meet some of the excess demand by offloading stocks in the PDS—which by definition provides foodgrain at subsidized prices, mostly to those living below the poverty line (BPL)

In the next few weeks, the arrival of the kharif, or summer, crop in the local grain markets will begin gathering momentum, kicking off the annual procurement by the Food Corporation of India (FCI). This time, however, it is going to give rise to a piquant situation that further exposes the fallacies of public policy pursued by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), especially with respect to managing inflation.

Though the country’s granaries are overflowing with surplus food stocks, the UPA will have no option—unless it is willing to court a political backlash from the farmer lobby ahead of key elections in Punjab next year—but to go ahead and procure more. Since it has not been able to offload the current surplus, either through the public distribution system (PDS) or the open market, it would mean that more foodgrain will rot away (as detailed in the Tracking Hunger series done jointly by Mint and the Hindustan Times) and the food subsidy bill will burgeon. A supreme irony, considering that food inflation was, as on 9 October, at the level of 15.63%; it has averaged double digits for most of the last 18 months.

Also Read | Anil Padmanabhan’s earlier columns

Common sense economics tells us that prices increase when there is a mismatch between demand and supply. The only way to bring parity, especially when it comes to dealing with a vital commodity like foodgrain, is to meet some of the excess demand by offloading stocks in the PDS—which by definition provides foodgrain at subsidized prices, mostly to those living below the poverty line (BPL).

This then begs the question: Why has the surplus food stock not found its way into the system? Not only will it help meet excess demand, it will also help reduce the food subsidy since the government will not have to bear the carrying cost of these foodgrain. Particularly since the Central government has instructed FCI to offer more food grains through the PDS and the open market.

Perusal of the data available on FCI’s website reveals that in the last one year, beginning October 2009, states and the Union territories (UTs) lifted only 45% of the 1.46 million tonnes of rice and little less than 8% of the 2.16 million tonnes of wheat allotted to them. On the face of it this seems counter-intuitive: when food prices are in double digits, why would the authorities not acquire stocks for distribution through the PDS?

Not really. The states and UTs have clearly been influenced by the price at which FCI has offered the foodgrain. In the case of wheat the price band is Rs. 10-14 per kg and for rice Rs. 14-16 per kg. Most states offer foodgrains to the BPL population at about Rs. 2 per kg. In other words, the states and UTs need to incur a loss of upwards of Rs. 9 on every kg of foodgrain that they distributes through the PDS.

Politically, yet again it makes no sense. Why wouldn’t states and UTs absorb the cost differential, because after all they risk the wrath of the people. The answer may lie in the fact that most states are fiscally stretched and would find it very difficult to absorb the cost. In other words, the onus, inevitably as it does in such extenuating circumstances—and the current bout of inflation is nothing but a national calamity—falls on the Union government. Understandably, the Central government has similar compulsions. But then it has no one to pass the buck to. And it also flies in the face of its otherwise generous spending when it comes to populist programmes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme—on which annual spending is above Rs. 40,000 crore. The government is now readying, under the urging of Congress party president Sonia Gandhi, a Food Security Act that will guarantee foodgrain at subsidized prices to the poor.

The reluctance may have a lot to do with the linear manner in which the Central government approaches fiscal reforms and the belief that the PDS is a waste since large allocations leak from the system. Alternatively, albeit a more cynical surmise, it could well be that the political arithmetic of bailing out the states would allow the UPA only indirect credit at a time when seven states in the country are ruled by the principal opposition Bharatiya Janata Party.

While tackling wasteful subsidies is without question critical, it makes no sense in doing so in a mechanical manner. The thrust of public policy cannot ever be to prevent misuse; instead, it has to encourage use of such subsidized initiatives by those at which it is targeted. The solution is to fix the PDS—the only demonstrable urgency for which seems to be coming from the newly created Aadhaar programme to provide a unique identity to all residents of India—or find another alternative. The strategy of throwing the baby out with the bath water is hardly desirable.

In a few weeks from now, when the results of the ongoing elections to the Bihar assembly will be declared, we will know whether inflation was a factor with the voters. If indeed it proves to be a factor, the ruling parties in the crucial states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal that would follow Bihar to the polls will need to find ways to counter electoral fallout from inflation.

Anil Padmanabhan is a deputy managing editor of Mint and writes every week on the intersection of politics and economics. Comments are welcome at capitalcalculus@livemint.com  

762 - How to Fix Illegal Bangladeshi Migration - Yahoo News

How to Fix Illegal Bangladeshi Migration
By Nitin Pai

"Probably the most important event in (Assam) during the last 25 years -- an event, moreover, which seems likely to alter permanently the whole future of Assam and the whole structure of Assamese culture and civilization -- has been the invasion of a vast horde of land-hungry Bengali immigrants, mostly Muslims, from the districts of (Bangladesh)" You might think I am quoting a contemporary BJP leader. These are, in fact, words of C S Mullan, census commissioner under the British Raj. He made these comments in 1931. If you thought that the issue of "illegal immigrants from Bangladesh" is a recent one, then think again.

Demographic change in the erstwhile Assam province in the first half of the twentieth century was at the heart of the Muslim League's demand, in the 1940s, that the territory be given to Pakistan. So those who argue that large-scale immigration from Bangladesh is one of the biggest long-term threats to India's national security are right.

As much as the migration is driven by economic factors -- ordinary folks moving in search of a better livelihood -- it is inextricably linked with the politics of vote-banks. So we have allowed the problem to grow, by denying its existence, by underplaying its extent, by exploiting it politically and yes, by enjoying its benefits. You know that the lady who mops your floor is not quite from "Calcutta" as she claims. You know that the workers in farms as far south as Tamil Nadu are not all from "Bihar". You don't care because not only do they do the job, they are often the only ones who will. Forget Congress leaders in Assam: South Delhi housewives and rural Tamil landlords are unlikely to get too excited about taking action against illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

In fact, the blunt, impractical and half-heartedly implemented measures we have used to address the problem have only worsened it. Attempts to force them to go back have created an illicit political protection racket that has undermined national security. Fencing is in progress, but it is impossible to erect an impenetrable barrier along the entire India-Bangladesh border. Over the years, many border officials and security personnel have become mixed up in organised networks smuggling everything from cough syrup to human beings. Indian and Bangladeshi border guards sometimes even exchange fire, indicating policy failure at so many levels. Amid all this, tens of thousands of illegal immigrants make their way into India each year.

We need a new approach. India should consider establishing a system of work permits to allow Bangladeshis to work in India, legally.

It is practically impossible to fight demographic pressure, not least given the geography of India's North East. It is, however, possible to ensure that the flow of immigrants does not concentrate in Assam or other states adjoining Bangladesh. The real political problem is not so much the inflow, but the accumulation of illegal immigrants in one state. If work permits are subject to state-wise quotas, then it is possible to distribute the flow across Indian states. This will allow migrant workers to work in states that need them, and prevent them from crowding in certain states.

Work permits with state-wise quotas can thus address Assam's genuine and longstanding concerns -- the state can cap the number of Bangladeshi migrants it will accept. India's national security concerns become more manageable by bringing the migration out into the open. Obviously, Bangladesh stands to benefit too, not least the immigrant who need not live a often fearful life in the twilight zone.

The time for work permits has come. You might be surprised to know that as many as 85 million Bangladeshis have biometric National ID Cards (NIDs) which were issued ahead of the 2008 elections. These cards are now required for opening bank accounts, applying for passports and accessing public services. Indian work permits could therefore be issued to valid Bangladeshi NID holders with a greater degree of confidence. There are challenges in getting the Bangladeshi authorities to co-operate, especially in terms of validating IDs, but these are not insurmountable.

That's half the solution. The other half involves the ability to positively identity an Indian citizen. This is where Aadhaar, the Indian UID, launched last month, becomes necessary. It will be a few years before most Indians have one. We do not have to wait, though, for Aadhaar to be ubiquitous throughout the country. The work permit scheme can be extended to only those states where Aadhaar implementation is complete.

We have the building blocks of what it takes to address a hundred-year-old problem. Now work permits are not the perfect solution. There will be people who will violate the quotas, there will be people who will slip into India for nefarious purposes, there will be attempts to form vote banks. Even so, it will still be a great deal better than the current situation of relentless, unmonitored, unchecked, unmanaged and irreversible flows of migrants into India.

What about the politics, you ask? There is something in the idea for either side of the political spectrum. The Congress party's fortunes in Assam will brighten once the illegal migration issue is settled. It can claim to have protected the rights of Bengali-speaking Indian Muslims who no longer face the risk of harassment. The BJP, for its part, can credibly call for the repatriation of all illegal immigrants.

Work permits for Bangladeshis offers absolute gains for most political parties. Their own calculations, however, are on the basis of relative gains -- "does it benefit our party more than the other party." Both great leaders and good politicians would smell a political opportunity here. We do have some of the latter.

By Nitin Pai

761 - AADHAAR IMPLEMENTATION: DC ASKS OFFICIALS TO BE COMMITTED

AADHAAR IMPLEMENTATION: DC ASKS OFFICIALS TO BE COMMITTED


Mysore, Oct. 24 (DM)- Deputy Commissioner Harsha Gupta has directed the officials entrusted with Unique Identity (UID) project Aadhaar to implement it on a priority basis, as both the Centre and State have selected Mysore district as one amongst the pilot districts in the State for the project's implementation.

In a circular issued here recently, he said the Aadhaar programme is being implemented in the district as per the Centre and the State's e-administration norms. In this connection, registrations were taken up in selected villages and in the city in April 2010. Subsequently, a workshop on the project implementation was held in city on Sept. 22, wherein all the officials concerned were briefed about the project and the mode of its implementation.

Aadhaar registration progra-mme was launched by the Chief Minister at the Dasara Exhibition Grounds on Oct. 8, following which, registrations commenced at different venues across the city. Also, Taluk-level committees have been set up for an effective and timely implementation of the project at the Taluk-level.

The Assistant Commissioner will be the Chairman and the Tahasildar will be the Member Secretary of the Committee. These officials are directed to hold meetings with other officials concerned and Hobli-wise nodal officers once in a fortnight and evolve a programme with the vendor agency for the successful implementation of Aadhaar by the end of December 2010.

Apart from this, the Panchayat Development Officers (PDO), GP Secretaries and Village Accountants, who are part of the prog-ramme implementation, were provided training on Oct. 6 and 7, in which they were instructed to involve themselves totally in the effective and error-free im-plementation Aadhar.

A public awareness campaign on the benefits of the progra-mme should be launched in the first place. Accordingly, the AC, the Tahasildar and EOs should come up with banners, posters and handbills to distribute them amongst all people's representatives and other forms of publicity campaign, so that they are made totally aware of the programme.

Any doubts regarding the programme should be cleared at the monthly staff meetings. Besides, a drum-beating campaign should be launched on the day of the project to be taken up in the respective villages. The Taluk Committee and officials can take any other form of campaign that would sensitise the people on the programme.

All these apart, the officials taking part in the campaign have been asked to give importance for getting precise information from the public on details such as their age, address, etc,.

The DC, in his circular, has instructed all the Asst. Commissioners and Tahasildars to strictly follow the instructions in this regard and submit a report thereby.

Tasks assigned to UID officials

Mysore, Oct. 24 (DM)- The responsibility of effectively implementing Aadhaar has been entrusted to some selected officials who will soon be launching public awareness campaigns in the district, said Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr. C.G. Betsurmath.

Speaking at a meeting of the Aadhaar Implementing Committee officials held at the DC Office recently, Dr. Betsurmath said Aadhaar programme has to be completed by Dec. 2010.

Detailing out the roles and responsibilities of the district-level committee in the implementation of the programme, Dr. Betsurmath said the identification of Nodal Officers at the district and taluk-level, taking measures for village-wise collection of statistics, facilitating activities at village level, locating venues for setting up registration agencies and permanent centres, reporting to e-administration, selection of examiners, etc., were part of the responsibilities of officials.

An Aadhaar stall has been opened at Dasara Exhibition which will facilitate the citizens to register their names and personal information for UID number. Till now, around 3,000 people are said to have visited the stall, which will deliver the UID number to the doorsteps of the citizens within 30 days of registration. For details, contact toll-free number: 1800-180-1947.

760 - Ensure street children get Aadhar numbers: child rights panel - MSN News

23/10/2010

New Delhi, Oct 22 (PTI) The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights has requested UIDAI to ensure that lakhs of street children in the city get their unique identity number so that they can benefit from various welfare schemes.

In a letter to Unique Identification Authority of India chief Nandan Nilekani, DCPCR chief Amod Kanth has said in absence of proper identity, homeless and street children often do not get benefits of welfare schemes and providing AADHAR identity numbers would help them get various entitlements.

He said out of the total homeless people in the city, 25 to 45 per cent could be children below 18 years of age and they often remain "outside the safety net".

The DCPCR chief said enumeration and identification of the deprived children, whose number could not be less than five lakh, is the primary responsibility of the city government.

"The children do have a right to identity and nationality under the United Nation Convention on the Rights of Child (UNCRC)," he said in the letter.

The Commission also offered to provide its full cooperation in identifying the homeless and deprived children.

Earlier this month, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had distributed "beghar" cards and provisional Unique Identification Numbers to the homeless people in the city.

Biometric-based data including fingerprints and an iris scan is being used for the first time by UIDAI to provide a cost-effective nationally valid and verifiable single source of identity proof.

759 - What This Criticism of UID Reveals - The Acorn

10.21.2010 · Posted in Economy, Public Policy
To oppose the UID project on the grounds that it makes government services efficient is bizarre

Over in the op-ed pages of The Hindu there’s a surreal op-ed by R Ramakumar that argues that Aadhaar, India’s new Unique Identification (UID) project will lead to an invasive state security-wise and a retreating one development-wise. Now reasonable people can debate whether or not UID will lead to these outcomes, and whether these outcomes are desirable or not. But reasonable people cannot argue that the government must spend money indiscriminately. That, however, is exactly what Mr Ramakumar argues! The UID project, he alleges aims “to keep benefits restricted to the so-called “targeted” sections, ensure targeting with precision and thereby, limit the government’s expenditure commitments.”

How will UID lead to human rights violations? Mr Ramakumar’s argument is “Because Amartya Sen says so.” Appealing to authority is not quite the most persuasive way to make such an argument. The fact that the UID is not compulsory and the fact more than 500 million Indians have mobile phones—it’ll takes years before that many people get their Aadhaar—that are already capable of being tracked and profiled is ignored.

Go to Main link to read all comments

758 - Raipur UID Aadhaar Inauguration Ceremony - Raipur News

Chhattisgarh Chief Dr. Raman Singh will inaugurate the Aadhaar. “UID Aadhaar” is the special identity number. This number is given to the every peoples of Chhattisgarh under the National Project namely “UID Aadhaar”.

Chief Minister of 36garh Dr. Raman Singh will inagurate the UID Aadhaar National Project of India by provide identity number UID Number to the villagers and peoples of Joba and Urtuli Village.

The peoples of this two Village Joba and Urtuli will attend the UID Aadhaar Special Identity Number Inauguration Ceremony ogranized at Raipur District’s development block headquarters Gariyaband’s Gandhi Maidan Gandhi Ground at 12.00 PM AfterNoon on 23rd October 2010.

757 - Methods of defeating Indian E-Surveillance - Techno Legal news

Posted on October 22nds 2010

By Pritesh N Munjal

Those who are opposed to the Orwellian nature of Indian government must not sit idle but do as much as possible to reclaim their civil liberties. For instance, Indians can use self defence methods to defeat e-surveillance of Internet, e-mails, telephone conversations, instant messaging, etc by Indian government and its agencies.

Similarly, those who are not comfortable with the Aadhar project or UID project of India and its dubious management by the Nandan Nilekani led unique identification authority of India (UIDAI), must restrain from giving their biometric details.

As far as Blackberry services in India are concerned, it is quiet doubtful that Blackberry would fight for the human rights and civil liberties of Indians in Indian cyberspace. The only initiative in this regard in India seems to be managed by Praveen Dalal under the banner of protecting human rights in Indian cyberspace (HRPIC).

Fortunately, another good initiative in this regard has been launched in the form of RIM Check project. This project would analyse the data leaving Blackberry devices for e-surveillance and other civil liberty violations.

Meanwhile, the Indian government has decided to follow the footsteps of its Chinese counterpart. India is planning to control Indian portion of Internet and looking forward for a “kill switch” type option. Under this option, the Indian government and its agencies can cut off all Internet services during emergencies.

The times to come would be really challenging for human rights activists but the battle between e-surveillance and civil liberties would keep on going.

756 - Aadhar And UIDAI Have Failed In India by Catherine Fernandes

Posted on 22nd October by Catherine Fernandes

The unique identification project of India, now known as Aadhar project of India, is one of the worst projects in the Indian history. It is managed by Nandan Nilekani as the head of unique identification authority of India (UIDAI). Both Aadhar project and UIDAI are “unconstitutional” and they are surviving only because the government of India has bypassed the parliament and imposed the project upon Indians.

Fortunately, Aadhar project/UID project and UIDAI have been “big failures” as they have failed to gain the confidence of Indian masses. All the Indian government and UIDAI could have done in this regard is imposing the same upon illiterate and poor people. The educated and well informed have stayed away from Aadhar project.

Aadhar project must be seen in the light of other illegal and unconstitutional projects like national intelligence grid (Natgrid), crime and criminal tracking network and systems (CCTNS), etc. By using the biometric data of Aadhar project and other details of national population register (NPR) with Natgrid and CCTNS, a complete e-surveillance and Orwellian state has been established in India.

Indians must use self defence methods to defeat e-surveillance by Indian government and its agencies over Internet, e-mails, telephone conversations, instant messaging, etc.

As far as Aadhar project/UID project and UIDAI are concerned, Indians must not give their biometric details lest they wish to be watched 24×7.

Let us fight against illegal and unconstitutional projects like Aadhar/UID, Natgrid, CCTNS, etc and force the government of India to respect and preserve our civil liberties.

755 - Don't worry about privacy - Yahoo News

Tue, Oct 12 02:53 AM
 

Can the UIDAI be used for religious profiling or to collect data about an individual's spending habits? What about identity theft?

According to UIDAI authorities, the structure of the database is such that you cannot query it; it is like a black box. So, you cannot ask it, for instance, to give you all the names ending with Jain along with their addresses. Nor can you ask it for all the names of individuals residing in an area with a particular pincode. Since all that the database has is a name, sex, age, address, fingerprints, photograph and an iris-scan, there is no question of having information about spending habits. Since the database has been developed to only answer a simple yes/no, the UIDAI authorities claim identity theft is not possible.

Sponsoring a 'Project GetMyIris', with a reward of say a million dollars to a person who can hack into the system, to get your biometrics including the iris details, wouldn't be a bad idea to set everyone's hearts at ease!

If it can't be queried, how does it work?

It can be queried to answer yes/no to items within the database. Once you get UIDAI'd, or Aadhar'd to use the project's brand name, you get a laminated, waterproof, tearproof paper that can last 20 years. (In case you forget your number, or lose the paper, you can, with your fingerprints, get a duplicate ID number.) So, let's say the income tax authorities start asking for UIDAI numbers while issuing PAN cards, and now want to check if the person with the UIDAI number ABCD1234 is Sunil Jain, it will get a yes/no answer. If you submit the fingerprint of a person and ask if this is Sunil Jain, you will get a yes/no. If you ask for a fingerprint of Sunil Jain, the database is not programmed to give it to you.

Can the programming be changed to allow for this in the future?

Theoretically it can, but UIDAI authorities say the plan is to keep it this way. In addition, there are various other checks to protect the database. But since the database does not keep information on incomes or credit card histories, the incentive to hack into it is low.

Is it possible to get a fake UIDAI number?

You can, but you can never ever get another UIDAI number under another name. So, if an individual X goes and gets a UIDAI number under the name Y, she can never apply for another UIDAI number. Say, she does. The system will automatically reject her saying there is already another person with the same biometrics in the system. That is, the incentive to game the system is zero. In case you wish to have your ID changed, say you no longer think having an Amitabh Bachchan ID is helping, you can get it changed after submitting your biometrics again. But no person can ever have more than one UIDAI number.

How do you get a UIDAI number?

Each state government appoints registrars and they, in turn, could appoint a UTI or a Wipro as an enrolment agency. Go to the enrolment agency and get yourself a number.

Do they ask for any proof of address?

Yes. There are 17 documents that can be used as proof of identity, ranging from a PAN card to photo IDs issued by recognised educational institutions. There are other documents that are to be used as proof of address.

What if you don't have an address? And will the UIDAI go and check if the person actually lives at the address given?

If you don't have proof of address, as in you're a migrant, there is the concept of introducers and they can vouch for you. This could be the Panchayat head, for instance. No check of the address will be done, but this is where your UIDAI number will be sent.

How do you find an introducer if you are a migrant worker?

UIDAI has just tied up with an alliance of 20+ NGOs that work with migrants. So the NGO will find a way to help. In the case of Delhi's homeless who were given UIDAI numbers, the homeless shelters they lived in were entered as the address. The design execution is kept flexible.

Can I be the introducer for my maid servant?

Not right now! Since there is no penalty for introducing the wrong person, the idea is to limit the introducers to certain types of officials the government trusts. In Andhra Pradesh, the government has appointed the NREGA department as the introducer. As a last resort, the UIDAI can also appoint introducers and get them registered with it. So, DLF can be registered as an introducer given the number of migrant labourers it works with, or even TeamLease given its status as the largest temping agency in the country. But that's in the future.

How will UIDAI work with ration cards and how will it certify the income of the person getting the card?

UIDAI cannot certify the income of a household. So, in case of Delhi, the government will get a survey done to identify the poor and to give them ration cards. If they have UIDAI numbers, these will be fed on to the card. If this will be a smart card, with my biometrics (collected by the Delhi government) or with my UIDAI number, each time I buy rations, my card will reflect this. Now let's say that one person tries to get three ration cards, as a brother in one, a father in another and a son in the third, the Delhi government's computer will be able to spot that one UIDAI number figures three times. But if there's a rich person who has a BPL card, the UIDAI can do nothing to detect this.

So how can that be done?

If the Delhi government wants, it can run its UIDAI numbers against those with the Income Tax Department or those with various property registries or some other database. If the numbers are common, the ration card can be rejected.

Does the UIDAI pay money to people who get numbers?

The 13th Finance Commission has allocated Rs 100 for each person in case a state has 100% coverage of BPL households. So if the state government wishes, it can make a payment.

Is UIDAI a substitute for KYC?

Not yet, but RBI is considering this. Last fortnight, RBI called a meeting with all banks where UIDAI authorities demonstrated how the UIDAI number could be used to make financial transactions in faraway villages. The UIDAI is discussing the possibility of using UIDAI for telcos as a substitute for the KYC required as per the rules.

Why should a poor person get a UIDAI number?

Today, any person getting government money, through NREGA or various health and other schemes, has to go to a designated office to check on whether the money has arrived. This could end up wasting precious days of working time and involve significant transport costs. If a person has a UIDAI number and uses this to open a Post Office account, the money can be electronically wired by the government. While sitting in the village, using the Banking Correspondent in her village, she can get to know if the money has arrived and then withdraw it. Zero transaction costs.

How do you let the poor know of these benefits?

UIDAI itself has a Rs 50 crore budget for advertising this year. There is no limit to the budgets the states have.

754 - adhar continues to make good progress in Mysore - Express Buzz

MYSORE,: Aadhaar, the new multipurpose national identity card programme of the Unique Identification Authority of India, which was launched in Mysore coinciding with this year’s Dasara inaugural on October 8, has so far enrolled around 2,500 citizens in the last 14 days.
 

Apart from opening five Aadhar counters in Mysore One centres in the city, the Department of E-governance had opened eight counters in the Exhibition Ground.
 

A representative of COMAT, an outsourcing agency, said that enrolment in the Mysore One centres is showing a slow improvement.
 

Chandru, a data entry operator in COMAT, said that as many as 150 members are enrolling everyday.
 

“The procedure takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Scrutiny of residence proof, identification and biometric impressions of iris, finger and thumb impressions form part of the procedure. At times, people get upset over being made to wait for a few minutes,” he detailed. Another operator Giridhar said that the verification procedure takes a longer time for senior citizens as their finger prints and iris may not be clearly obtained. Aadhar staff have issued enrolment documents to Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who will get the UID within 20 days after enrollment.
UIDs to curb unauthorised IP-sets
 

Meanwhile, the state government plans to take stock of the inventory of IP sets in the state as concerned electricity supply companies (ESCOMS) did not have exact statistics of IP-sets. This is also being seen as a measure to curb unauthorised IP set connections by making compulsory registration of IP set nos while enrolling for UID.
 

Sources in Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) confirmed that about two lakh out of a total of 18.5 lakh IP sets in the state are unauthorised in all five Escoms of the state, viz-Bescom, Gescom, Hescom, Mescom and Cesc, due to which, Escoms were not able to claim proper subsidies from the state government.
 

The state government had issued an order on October 6 asking IP set owners to provide their IP set no/RR no (Revenue Record no) to UID centres to be opened in all gram panchayats along with the IP set sanctioning letter issued by concerned authorities.
 

Failure to do so will result in such IP sets being dropped from the government’s list of beneficiaries. Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Company (CESC) has drawn the attention of IP-set owners in this regard. Referring to the orders issued by the state government on October 6, CESC general manager Kushalappa appealed to all IP set owners to cooperate with the directions.

ENROLMENT FOR AADHAR TO BE FAST-TRACKED
Mysore: In order to speed up enrollment to Aadhaar project in the district, the district administration has entrusted certain responsibilites with concerned authorities for creating awareness among people. Deputy Commissioner Harsha Gupta issued a circular directing the Assistant Commissioners, tahsildars to conduct taluk-level UID committee meetings, along with nodal officers once every 15 days. Meanwhile, at an Aaadhar implementation commitee meeting held at DC’s office here on Thursday, Additional Deputy Commissioner C J Betsurmath instructed authorities to implement all necessary measures. He added that the state and central governments had chosen Mysore district for implementing the pilot Aadhaar project which will be completed before December 2010. He also suggested the authorities to concentrate on rural enrollment UID centres.
 

753 - What an idea, Sirji! - Financial Express

Sunil Jain
Posted: Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 2229 hrs IST
Updated: Tuesday, Sep 14, 2010 at 2229 hrs IST

: What do programmes like the New Pension Scheme (NPS), the UIDAI, the Right to Education, the Right to Information, and many more, have in common, apart from the fact that all have been launched by the UPA? Almost all, believe it or not, were originally efforts made by individuals/NGOs which have now got mainstreamed and have the potential, in both good ways and bad, to change our lives in a big way.

The Right to Information Act, it is pretty well-known by now, was borne out of the work of Aruna Roy and her campaign to have various registers/lists made public, muster rolls of workers who were supposed to have got money from various public works programmes, lists of public works sanctioned and the money allocated to them, and so on. The list of the other parents, as it were, is less well-known, and that is what this piece hopes to correct, at least partially. The timing is a bit off since it was actually meant to coincide with the 13th anniversary of the Delhi-based Centre for Civil Society (CCS) last month, but better late than never!

Parth Shah, who set up CCS, began talking of school vouchers several years ago. Why give a subsidy to a school, which is what government-run schools essentially boil down to; why not give it to parents? That way, if parents are dissatisfied with the quality of education, they will move their children to other schools; this will then put pressure on government schools to deliver. Many others were talking the same language, but what CCS did was different—it collected money to fund the education of 400 children for a year and then used volunteers to go across to certain wards in Delhi on cycle rickshaws using loudspeakers to publicise the scheme. For these 400 students, it got over a lakh applications. Poor India wanted to vote with its feet. The Right to Education Act has several shortcomings, the principal one being the insistence that all schools must be recognised by the government, which will drive up their costs and them out of business. But CCS’s school voucher system is inbuilt into the system since 25% of all school seats will have to be reserved for RTE children for whom the government will make payments. Not bad for a 13-year old.

In 2006, Gautam Bhardwaj, along with others like Vijay Mahajan of Basix, Renana Jhabvala of Sewa and UTI’s UK Sinha, set up Invest India Micro Pension Services (IIMPS), an outfit dedicated to work on pension funds among the poor—the company has set up a proprietary IT platform and even owns the brandname ‘micro pension’. By end 2008, it had begun working with the Rajasthan government in a scheme where the government co-contributed a one-time Rs 1,000 and 50,000 persons signed up for it, contributing Rs 100 per month—Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Haryana have now announced similar schemes, and IIMPS has got queries from other Asian countries to run similar schemes for them. Meanwhile, it also signed another 1,50,000 persons for a similar programme, but without co-contributions from the government—the fund, administered by UTI, has earned around 13% per annum in the last few years. To put this in perspective, the government’s New Pension Scheme has just 11,000 members. Since NPS contributors end up giving around 10-11% of their contributions in commissions, the regulator has now announced NPS-light, with IIMPS-type minimum deposits and is also looking at working with groups like Sewa to get more contributors and at lower costs.

Around the same time, ICICI Bank’s Nachiket Mor branched out into financial inclusion and, with Fino, began figuring out how to take banking to the unbanked. Fino tied up with several banks and financial service providers, began giving biometric cards that captured all financial transactions—service outlets had card-readers and acted as banks.

Fino has 18 million customers today. It gives out money on behalf of NREGA, government pensions and even offers cashless hospitalisation in five states under the Rashtriya Swastha Bima Yojana. Unlike traditional MFIs like SKS who just lend money, Fino’s powerful backend allows banks to offer rural India insurance and money market mutual funds. Precursor to the UIDAI?

Yes, but not the only one. Anurag Gupta’s A Little World (ALW) began with smart-card based microfinance and then moved on to cardless mobile phone based banking. It has 3 million customers across 20,000 villages in 18 states. MCHQ, now mChek, the mobile payments solution, was originally developed by ALW. Others like Abhishek Sinha of Eko have improvised on this further and come up with one-time password generators for cash transfers. Rural banking, what RBI is stressing nowadays, couldn’t have come even as far as it has without these gents.

The Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission, similarly, was part of a process of focussing on urban planning and reform headed by individuals such as Ramesh Ramanathan (who is also an independent director of Fino and the technical advisor to JNNURM) and Nandan Nilekani.What an idea, Sirji!