Ajanta Chakraborty, TNN Oct 7, 2012, 03.23AM IST
KOLKATA: In case you're scared of missing the Aadhaar bus, count on the National Population Register camps.
The state Directorate of Census Operations and the UID Implementation Committee will set up permanent NPR centres for those left out in the first or second phase of data collection. The directorate, with its limited funds, has been publicising the compulsory registration for NPR, of which Aadhaar is a crucial part. But several residents have either been left out or have opted out because they don't yet understand how important it is to be counted.
NPR will continue forever, because every child over five years must be enrolled. New names will be included all the time but temporary camps will always leave out some names. For revision of data, the best solution is to have a permanent NPR centre in every locality," said census director Dipak Ghosh.
During the first round of biometric camps, many ignored the plea, not knowing what NPR and Aadhaar were all about. Others have not been able to fit the camp in their busy schedule.
"People must understand that getting their own Resident Identity Card (RIC) with the Aadhaar number inscribed on it is a compulsion. Now, they must wait for the next round of biometric camps. In future, the permanent NPR centres will come to their aid," added Ghosh.
NPR centres, with skeleton staff, will be manned all day. Anybody whose name has been struck off the register can visit these centres, fill in the forms and have their biometrics done to get the RIC and Aadhaar number. These centres may be set up in government offices, municipal or corporation buildings or the subdivisional or block offices in the districts.
Many residents were left out during the first phase of Census 2011 when enumerators visited households to collect the details needed for NPR in a paper format. Their names will have to be enlisted first. They will then be asked to visit a biometric camp with documents like a voter ID card. The data will then be scanned and uploaded on an electronic database in English and Bengali.
Those left out in the Census enumeration will be given a new NPR form. The filled in forms will be submitted to a government official present at the camp and verified by the authorities while the individual's biometric details will be captured during the next round of biometric camping.
Every locality must undergo two rounds of camping, say sources. If anyone misses the first one, they are intimated about the second. In case they cannot make it to the second camp also, a third chance will be given to enrol at camps when they are set up at a designated date. Those who still play hard to get will have their names struck off the register. But they can still get on board. "He must apply afresh with the required documents, which will be verified by officials. After the verification is done, a designated officer will pass an order allowing the individual to re-enter the NPR," said Ghosh.
