UNIQUE IDENTITY

The Kerala edition of the Unique Identification Scheme or AADHAAR was inaugurated yesterday by chief minister V S Achuthanandan. With the completion of this project, the Unique Identity will be largest database in the world. It is said that if the UIDs of all Indians are piled up together, it will be larger than the Mount Everest, some 12000 km. The AADHAAR, unlike earlier population registers takes into account both biometric and demographic information. It is for the first time that any nation is introducing biometric identification, including, photograph, fingerprints and iris scan, for the whole of its population. The scheme which comes under the Planning Commission is headed by a person of cabinet rank. UIDAI is chaired by the former Infosys man Nanadan Nilekani. Rajana Sonawale of Temphli district of Maharashtra became the first Indian to enrolled under the UID.

Each individual will be provided with a 12 digit number with the help of which he/ she will be identified in records of the nation. The scheme is aimed at ensuring inclusive growth for the nation. People of all genres will be made a part of this initiative. Even the homeless and the residents of the slums form a part of AADHAAR. Though initiated as a voluptuary venture, with the linking of unique ID with all the social security, financial and other programmes, AADHAAR becomes near mandatory. Gradually all citizens will be made a part of AADHAAR. This, with the help of introducers is supposed to obtain universal coverage and the persons with no identification proof until now can also avail the UID. Yet another advantage of AADHAAR is that it prevents duplication, as each person has a unique number and also the software will detect the biometric matching, preventing the chance of fake card holders. Thus, it will keep a check on the corruption, especially in the conduct of these programmes.

But not all is well with AADHAAR. There are a lot of oppositions raised against this initiative especially regarding the privacy and personal laws.The fact that there is no provision for the protection of information in India makes things more complex. Many eminent personalities from diverse fields have raised opposition to this scheme. They question the credibility of the government to the people, the infringement of privacy of the people, and the need for such a huge scheme. Moreover this scheme has been flawed in United Kingdom, where the huge investment went in vain. The opposition claims that the unique ID will be yet another case of bureaucratic intervention to further slow down the system. More than benefiting the marginalised it is going to further exploit them. They claim that this will be yet another opening for the officials concerned to engage in corrupt practices.

Let us be optimistic and foresee a good prospect for AADHAAR and better future for the Indians. JAI HIND!