Thiruvanantha puram: CPI(M) senior leader V S Achuthanandan said that the Unique Identification Number Database system that gathers details of the citizens is motivated by vested interests and is dangerous to the integrity of the civil society. He demanded that the centre drop the Aadhar (UID) project considering the social and ethical impact that it can have on the public.
"Such projects were tried out and given up by several countries after realising the dangers involved and in India it is being pushed to serve the interests of the industrial lobby," a statement issued by the opposition leader.
Several districts have already begun the process of UID implementation, including Thrissur. Under the scheme, biometric statistics of individuals such as their thumb impression and details of retina are collected.
Achuthanandan said experts are of the view that these biometric features could be manipulated in the UID card, which could lead to serious security issues later.
Also, the whole project posed the ethical question of invasion into the privacy of individuals.
Also, the whole project posed the ethical question of invasion into the privacy of individuals.
The Citizenship Act of 1955 and Citizenship Rules of 2003 concerning the national registry of population did not insist on the need to collect biometric details of people.
Achuthanandan said a circular had been issued by the Department of Public Instructions in Kerala, ordering school authorities to collect details of children for the UID without the prior consent of them or their parents.