January 15, 2012 DC
Hyderabad
The Aadhaar card enrolment project in the state is in a limbo, thanks to the uncertainty prevailing over the fate of the project after March 31, the deadline stipulated by the Centre for the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to complete the enrolment process.
With only two-and-a-half months are left for the deadline to end, nearly four crore people in the state are yet to be enrolled for the multi-purpose cards.
The agencies identified by the UIDAI could enrol only 3.5 crore people in the state so far. However, majority of them are yet to receive the Aadhaar cards.
Though the project took off with much fanfare, the enthusiasm faded with doubts being raised on its fate.
The enrolment agencies are refusing to step up the pace of the process by opening more centres.
The UIDAI has been paying about Rs 50 for each enrolment made to the enrolment agencies.
The agencies are reluctant to take up fresh enrolments fearing that the UIDAI may hold back the funds after the deadline expires. The agencies fear they would incur heavy loss if the government winds up the project and terminates their contract after March 31.
Some agencies have intimated the civil supplies department that they would speed up the process only if the state government gives an assurance in writing that their contract would not be terminated midway.
“It's a project that was initiated by the Centre. The state government cannot give any written assurances on extending their contracts. We will take up the issue with the Centre to seek clarity on how to go forward over enrolments after March 31,” said civil supplies minister D. Sridhar Babu.