Thursday, 27 October 2011
By Anjaly C
The ambitious Unique Identification (UID) programme got a quiet start in the city on Monday with the opening of a registration centre at Kizhakkumpattukara.
The centre, manned by Keltron, is planning to register about 100 people a day.
Keltron's UID project officer for Thrissur Nandini Rajeevan said that the IT Mission Kerala and Keltron are jointly implementing the Aadhaar registration in Thrissur. It has started awareness classes in this regard, she added.
Baiju Vargheese, Kizhakkumpattukara councilor, said, "In my division, the Aadhaar card registration started last week. The people will get 20 days for registering themselves."
Baiju Vargheese, Kizhakkumpattukara councilor, said, "In my division, the Aadhaar card registration started last week. The people will get 20 days for registering themselves."
The Kerala government has decided to enroll all residents of the state under the UID programme of the Central government within a year. However, there is still confusion about the UID programme and its implementation.
Says a school teacher from Mulankunnathukavu, "There has been no proper awareness campaign on the Aadhaar card here. The local self-governing (LSG) body members have no idea about it either."
A working woman, Sandra, from Thrissur mockingly says: "I have hardly heard about this card. I have no idea why, when and where I can get one".
The registration charges are also not uniform, it is said. In some places, it is Rs 50 for the application form and Rs 40 for enrolment.
Says shopkeeper Suma of Tirur, "We have waited for four hours for the biometric registration at a nearby Akshaya Centre. In our locality people are unaware of UID, and they don't know who the implementing agency is - whether it is the LSG or some other institution."
Communist Party of India (CPI) activist VR Santosh from Avanur, notes, "In our panchayat, Akshaya Kendras are closed, because of internal disputes. We don't know when and where to register for the UID. In neighbouring panchayats, registration has started through Akshaya Kendras."
District IT Mission director Rajeevan Cheladu says the
Aadhaar card registration has no time limit. "It will be completed by 2014. UID is one of the prestigious projects in India under which a biometric card with UID number will be issued to every citizen".
As it requires the recording of the prints of all 10 fingers of a person, the registration calls requires quality fingerprint scanners "for fast and better registration".
Rajeevan says that around 15 lakh registrations have been completed in the state. "More than 80-100 people register at each Akshaya E Kendra every day."
UID project officer Nandini adds, "The media, Kudumbasree members and the UID website will provide all the details about the Aadhaar card."