By Jitendra 2/22/11
ATNA - “In a democracy, a state should be transparent in its functioning not to act as Big- Brother” said Dr. Usha Ramanathan noted Jurist of Supreme Court here, at a national seminar held on concept of UIDAI. She further added “I do not want to be tagged, not being treated as criminal before I commit it. Indian Government has very poor record of regulation. In this condition, how can any Govt. claim that the central data grid would not be misused”.
A National Seminar was organized jointly by A N Sinha Institute of Social Studies (ANSISS), Patna, INSAF and Citizen’s Forum for Civil Liberties, New Delhi on “Idea of Unique Identification (UID) Number/ Aadhaar Project” on 21stFeb 2011 at ANSISS, Patna.
Dr. Usha Ramanathan focused on the issue and said that UID is basically a control of Identity through Technology. UID project is about Technology and application of Technology. But she also stressed that we should be able to control technology and neither the technology nor the people who control the technology should control us. This issue is now two years old and numbers of claims have been made on the UID by Mr. Nandan Nilekeni who is heading this project.
The Unique Identification Authority of India is an agency of the Government of India responsible for implementing the envisioned Multipurpose project in India. It was established in February 2009, and will own and operate the Unique Identification Number database. The authority will aim at providing a unique number to all Indians. The authority would provide a database of residents containing very simple data in biometrics.
Most reports suggest that the plan is for each Indian citizen to have a unique identification number with associated identifying biometric data and photographs by 2011. However, other reports claim that obtaining a unique number would be voluntary, but those that opt to stay out of the system will find it very inconvenient: they will not have access to facilities that require you to cite your ID number. She gave an example of Mizoram where people refused to take UID numbers because for them the numbers are the mark of a devil.
Through this seminar she wanted to put the negative implications of the projects. There are many potential privacy fallouts of this project. Risks that arise from this include possible errors in the collection of information, recording of inaccurate data, corruption of data from anonymous sources, and unauthorized access to or disclosure of personal information. Other countries with national identification systems have confronted numerous problems with similar risks such as trading and selling of information, India is ill-equipped to deal with such problems. So, it is important to stop this project and for this public domain is important and people should know the real concept of UID.
Mr. Gopal Krishna, Citizen’s Forum for Civil Liberties, New Delhi, during his presentation mentioned about the emergence of UID and what UID number stands for. He said it a twelve digit ID consisting person’s photo, finger print and few more general information like age, sex etc. He also said that it not merely for the citizens but for the residence in which citizens’ will be in subset.
Mr. Anil Chaudhary from INSAF Delhi, during the session emphasized on this issue and said that this concept was first started by the corporate sector and later rest of them followed it. This programme or project is good for the ruling class but will not stand beneficial for the ruled. He also said that to establish a biometric machine number of things are required like: machine itself, computer, and connector between both Internet facilities and the most important electricity. It is a revival plan of IT sector.
In the capitalist regime this project will not become successful the only thing from this project will be collected and that is money. He quoted Ex- Home Minister Mr LK Advani statement that “Country can wait for Health and Education but can’t wait for its security”. Mr Anil Chaudhary elaborated it further that dream of LK Advani is being fulfilled by this government. He also showed their apprehension that corporate world is not only going to misuse the data but there is also danger of its use by communal force.
Mr. Joe Athialy in the second session focused on World Bank in India and in UID.
The seminar was carried with vibrant discussions. Participants in the seminar unanimously resolved to prepare a pamphlets and booklets in simple language for common people to make them aware for UID.
Dr. Usha Ramanathan focused on the issue and said that UID is basically a control of Identity through Technology. UID project is about Technology and application of Technology. But she also stressed that we should be able to control technology and neither the technology nor the people who control the technology should control us. This issue is now two years old and numbers of claims have been made on the UID by Mr. Nandan Nilekeni who is heading this project.
The Unique Identification Authority of India is an agency of the Government of India responsible for implementing the envisioned Multipurpose project in India. It was established in February 2009, and will own and operate the Unique Identification Number database. The authority will aim at providing a unique number to all Indians. The authority would provide a database of residents containing very simple data in biometrics.
Most reports suggest that the plan is for each Indian citizen to have a unique identification number with associated identifying biometric data and photographs by 2011. However, other reports claim that obtaining a unique number would be voluntary, but those that opt to stay out of the system will find it very inconvenient: they will not have access to facilities that require you to cite your ID number. She gave an example of Mizoram where people refused to take UID numbers because for them the numbers are the mark of a devil.
Through this seminar she wanted to put the negative implications of the projects. There are many potential privacy fallouts of this project. Risks that arise from this include possible errors in the collection of information, recording of inaccurate data, corruption of data from anonymous sources, and unauthorized access to or disclosure of personal information. Other countries with national identification systems have confronted numerous problems with similar risks such as trading and selling of information, India is ill-equipped to deal with such problems. So, it is important to stop this project and for this public domain is important and people should know the real concept of UID.
Mr. Gopal Krishna, Citizen’s Forum for Civil Liberties, New Delhi, during his presentation mentioned about the emergence of UID and what UID number stands for. He said it a twelve digit ID consisting person’s photo, finger print and few more general information like age, sex etc. He also said that it not merely for the citizens but for the residence in which citizens’ will be in subset.
Mr. Anil Chaudhary from INSAF Delhi, during the session emphasized on this issue and said that this concept was first started by the corporate sector and later rest of them followed it. This programme or project is good for the ruling class but will not stand beneficial for the ruled. He also said that to establish a biometric machine number of things are required like: machine itself, computer, and connector between both Internet facilities and the most important electricity. It is a revival plan of IT sector.
In the capitalist regime this project will not become successful the only thing from this project will be collected and that is money. He quoted Ex- Home Minister Mr LK Advani statement that “Country can wait for Health and Education but can’t wait for its security”. Mr Anil Chaudhary elaborated it further that dream of LK Advani is being fulfilled by this government. He also showed their apprehension that corporate world is not only going to misuse the data but there is also danger of its use by communal force.
Mr. Joe Athialy in the second session focused on World Bank in India and in UID.
The seminar was carried with vibrant discussions. Participants in the seminar unanimously resolved to prepare a pamphlets and booklets in simple language for common people to make them aware for UID.
Prof. Nil Ratan, Prof. Ajay Kumar, Dr. Ajit Hansda, from ANSISS, Vasudev jee, Mr. Ajit Kumar, Mr. Arun Kumar, Mr. Pushpraj, Mr. Naval Kishore and Mr. Uday Chandra all said that debate on this issue should be done. We should take feedback from the public for resolution on this.
Prof. D M Diwakar, Director of the Institute cordially welcomed and presented vote of thanks to the participants and speakers assembled at A N Sinha Institute of Social Studies, Patna, Bihar. He briefly explained the theme and highlighted the necessary aims and objectives of this seminar. Objective analysis is required for UID and its implications on common people. Question remains as how technology should reach to common people easily to solve their problems and protect their privacy and liberty
Prof. D M Diwakar, Director of the Institute cordially welcomed and presented vote of thanks to the participants and speakers assembled at A N Sinha Institute of Social Studies, Patna, Bihar. He briefly explained the theme and highlighted the necessary aims and objectives of this seminar. Objective analysis is required for UID and its implications on common people. Question remains as how technology should reach to common people easily to solve their problems and protect their privacy and liberty
