October 17th, 2011
Dr Usha Ramanathan is an internationally recognized expert on law and poverty. She is an independent law researcher and teaches environmental law, labour law and consumer law at the Indian Law Institute, New Delhi. She is a member of Amnesty International’s Advisory Panel on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and has been called upon by the World Health Organisation as an expert on mental health on various occasions.
Dr Usha, who is an expert on UID, has imparted conceptual clarity and has made an attempt to dispel the myths attached with the holiness regarding the Aadhar or UID project. Through her, we get a glimpse of the fox hidden in the sheep’s clothing.
The UID project born in 2009 was initially accepted with no qualms by all those involved in the project, for holding or issuing of ID cards, was not a novel concept in India. We have always had various reasons for issuing cards. The voter’s ID card stood for providing voting rights to the citizen. After the Kargil war the government felt the need for a Multipurpose National Identity Card, but this project didn’t become a success.
In 2006, the need to identify those belonging to BPL category was felt strongly by the government and various social groups. Finally in January 2009 the government decided to introduce an all inclusive UID card (unique identity card) and in July 2009 Nandan Nelakani was appointed as the chairman and face of the UID project.
The card was to ensure voluntary enrollment to identify the poor of the country and to help the poor and homeless to associate with the state. After viewing the modus operandi and scratching the shiny surface and probing deeper, well grounded apprehensions began to creep up, even among those involved with and closely monitoring the project. Some of the less known aspects of the project are to be discussed, for sadly, nothing is revealed and the masses do not have a clear picture of the banes of the project.
Inducement of fear
Though in the beginning of the project we were assured that all enrolment is voluntary, the enrollers began employing threat and cohersion to force people to enroll. The only concern of Mr Nelakani was to ensure maximum enrollment in minimum time. From Bangalore and many other states people have complained that, they were forced to enroll as the enrollers threatened to confiscate basic necessities like gas connection.
Tempting with incentives
Another misconception is that the card holder would be provided various incentives and benefits, especially to those belonging to BPL and the lower strata. This is a fallacy and no attempt has been made to educate or inform the people. Very tactfully, UID prefers to remain mum.
The UID project is called an “open architecture” project. The card in itself does not entail any benefit but the card could be used as an ID proof to apply for various services.
The UID project born in 2009 was initially accepted with no qualms by all those involved in the project, for holding or issuing of ID cards, was not a novel concept in India. We have always had various reasons for issuing cards. The voter’s ID card stood for providing voting rights to the citizen. After the Kargil war the government felt the need for a Multipurpose National Identity Card, but this project didn’t become a success.
In 2006, the need to identify those belonging to BPL category was felt strongly by the government and various social groups. Finally in January 2009 the government decided to introduce an all inclusive UID card (unique identity card) and in July 2009 Nandan Nelakani was appointed as the chairman and face of the UID project.
The card was to ensure voluntary enrollment to identify the poor of the country and to help the poor and homeless to associate with the state. After viewing the modus operandi and scratching the shiny surface and probing deeper, well grounded apprehensions began to creep up, even among those involved with and closely monitoring the project. Some of the less known aspects of the project are to be discussed, for sadly, nothing is revealed and the masses do not have a clear picture of the banes of the project.
Inducement of fear
Though in the beginning of the project we were assured that all enrolment is voluntary, the enrollers began employing threat and cohersion to force people to enroll. The only concern of Mr Nelakani was to ensure maximum enrollment in minimum time. From Bangalore and many other states people have complained that, they were forced to enroll as the enrollers threatened to confiscate basic necessities like gas connection.
Tempting with incentives
Another misconception is that the card holder would be provided various incentives and benefits, especially to those belonging to BPL and the lower strata. This is a fallacy and no attempt has been made to educate or inform the people. Very tactfully, UID prefers to remain mum.
The UID project is called an “open architecture” project. The card in itself does not entail any benefit but the card could be used as an ID proof to apply for various services.