The government of India has recently announced plans to introduce a Family Pehchan Patra (FPP) for residents of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. This article sets out to analyse this new development, its significance, and potential challenges it may face.
Understanding Family Pehchan Patra
The Family Pehchan Patra is an identity card with a unique 8-digit alphanumeric number, similar to a PAN Card. Used to identify each family and its members through the head of the family, it provides a single identifier for every family and individual in the Union Territory. Unlike an Aadhar card, which is an individual identity proof, FPP will contain details for every person in a family. This includes names, ages, qualifications, and employment status. Alongside this, the FPP will be linked to the Aadhar and bank account number of the family’s head.
Potential Benefits of Family Pehchan Patra
There are several potential benefits associated with the implementation of the FPP. Primarily, it aims to create an authenticated and reliable database of families in J&K. This ensures transparent and fast delivery of welfare schemes to those who are eligible. With such a system in place, direct transfers of benefits to the family’s bank account can take place with minimal human involvement.
Interestingly, the use of FPP might help eliminate the duplicacy found in ration cards and Aadhar. It can also aid the government in identifying families with educated but unemployed youth. A unique feature of this database is its ability to update information on births, deaths, and marriages automatically, saving individuals’ efforts to visit local officials. The database will be crucial for government policy planning based on genuine, updated population data.
Non-Consent and Welfare Schemes
As per the government’s notification, the creation of the family database will only proceed with the family’s consent. However, families that do not consent to having a family card may experience challenges when trying to access the benefits of welfare schemes. These include receiving subsidised rations through the Targeted Public Distribution System (PDS) under the National Food Security Act, free medical treatment, scholarships, and assistance for victims of militancy.
Criticism Against Family Pehchan Patra
Despite its potential benefits, the FPP has faced criticism from opposition parties. They deem it a “surveillance tool” used to monitor Kashmiris, with the unique family IDs percieved as symbols of the increasing trust deficit between the people of J&K and the government. Critics also argue that the proposed unique IDs unnecessarily waste time and resources because a similar system, Aadhar, already exists. There are additional concerns about the government’s ability to protect residents’ personal data against cyber and ransomware attacks.
Family Database Initiatives in Other States
Several states have proposed or implemented similar family databases. Haryana was the first to introduce the concept of the Family Pehchan Patra. Punjab introduced the system in 2021 for direct benefit transfers to eligible families under various social service schemes. More recently, in November 2022, the Uttar Pradesh government decided to launch a UP Parivar Kalyan Card for similar purposes. The state of Rajasthan has also launched the “Jan Aadhaar Yojana”, intending to be the single identifier for a family in the state and the primary means to deliver both cash and non-cash benefits.
This in-depth investigation provides a comprehensive understanding of the Family Pehchan Patra introduction in Jammu & Kashmir, along with the efficiency, significance, and challenges it might bring. However, the success of this initiative can only be determined once it has been implemented and observed over time.