Subject: Press conference on the UID Feb 24
The Citizen’s Action Forum invites the press to a press conference at the Bangalore press club on February 24th from 11 AM to 1 PM.
The Citizen’s Action Forum invites the press to a press conference at the Bangalore press club on February 24th from 11 AM to 1 PM.
The meeting will discuss the current status of the UID, Water Privatisation, and the Endosulfan ban.
The Government has tabled a Bill in Parliament to regularise the UIDAI. The Bill is titled, “National Identity Authority of India Bill, 2010”. The objective of the Bill is to “issue identity numbers to individuals residing in India and authenticate such individuals to facilitate access to benefits and services to which, they are entitled and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto”.
The UID Bill has been placed before the Finance Committee and is waiting for its approval. After a meeting with the Public Accounts Committee that took place earlier this month, MPs have rasied concerns including: the compulsive nature of the number, the fact that the UID is being issued to persons who are “residents of India”, and the possibility of illeagal migrants obtaining a UID and accessing benefits. Furthermore, the committee asked the three questions:
1. Why do you want a Bill for this? Why can’t you function under the Planning Commission, as a department?
2. Why do you come to us after starting the work? Are we to stamp it uncritically?
3. How can you make this UID number compulsory for social schemes? If we have universal rights to entitlements, how can you deny a right to someone, just because he/ she does not have a UID number?
These and other concerns will be discussed by a panel. We look forward to your participation and attendance.
Thank you
Elonnai
Policy and Advocacy Associate
Centre for Internet and Society
elonnai@cis-indis.org
#194, 2nd ‘C’ Cross,
Domlur 2nd Stage,
The Government has tabled a Bill in Parliament to regularise the UIDAI. The Bill is titled, “National Identity Authority of India Bill, 2010”. The objective of the Bill is to “issue identity numbers to individuals residing in India and authenticate such individuals to facilitate access to benefits and services to which, they are entitled and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto”.
The UID Bill has been placed before the Finance Committee and is waiting for its approval. After a meeting with the Public Accounts Committee that took place earlier this month, MPs have rasied concerns including: the compulsive nature of the number, the fact that the UID is being issued to persons who are “residents of India”, and the possibility of illeagal migrants obtaining a UID and accessing benefits. Furthermore, the committee asked the three questions:
1. Why do you want a Bill for this? Why can’t you function under the Planning Commission, as a department?
2. Why do you come to us after starting the work? Are we to stamp it uncritically?
3. How can you make this UID number compulsory for social schemes? If we have universal rights to entitlements, how can you deny a right to someone, just because he/ she does not have a UID number?
These and other concerns will be discussed by a panel. We look forward to your participation and attendance.
Thank you
Elonnai
Policy and Advocacy Associate
Centre for Internet and Society
elonnai@cis-indis.org
#194, 2nd ‘C’ Cross,
Domlur 2nd Stage,
Bangalore – 560 071
Karnataka, India