In a recent move, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) agreed to accept the Prisoner Induction Document (PID) as a valid credential for enrolling or updating Aadhaar. Although an initiative was launched in 2017 to provide Aadhaar facilities to prisoners, progress has been slow due to the need for specific supporting documents stipulated by UIDAI.
The Unique Identification Authority of India Explained
The UIDAI is a statutory authority established on 12th July 2016 by the Government of India under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, following the Aadhaar Act 2016. It was initially set up in January 2009 as an office attached to the Planning Commission. The authority’s mandate is to assign a 12-digit unique identification number, known as Aadhaar, to all Indian residents. Currently, Aadhaar saturation in the country is over 93%, reaching nearly 100% for the adult population.
Significance of Aadhaar
Aadhaar serves multiple purposes, including promoting transparency and good governance. It is a unique number that is verifiable online, and it eliminates duplicates and fake identities. Moreover, it is often used as the primary identifier for implementing government welfare schemes. Aadhaar also provides identity proof to those who lacked it earlier and facilitates financial inclusion, broadband, and telecom services, and direct benefit transfers to citizens’ bank accounts. Importantly, Aadhaar does not profile people based on caste, religion, income, health, and geography, remaining neutral.
Concerns Around Aadhaar
Aadhaar’s implementation has not been without challenges. Concerns include potential misuse of Aadhaar data and its excessive imposition. In some cases, private entities insist on Aadhaar card details, but there is no clarity on how these entities protect this data. In 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that Aadhaar authentication could only be mandatory for services paid from the Consolidated Fund of India. However, even when Aadhaar fails, alternative means of identity verification should be provided. Despite these concerns, Aadhaar continues to be demanded routinely.
Arbitrary Exclusions and Fraud-Prone Payment Systems
One significant issue is the forced linkage of welfare benefits with Aadhaar using an “ultimatum method.” Here, if recipients fail to connect their job card, ration card, or bank account with Aadhaar in time, their benefits are withdrawn or suspended. Also, the Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS) has been vulnerable to rampant abuses by corrupt business correspondents.
A Way Forward: Ensuring Benefits and Stronger Safeguards
It is essential to ensure that benefits are not withdrawn without advance disclosure, a show cause notice to those affected, and an opportunity (with ample time) to respond or appeal. Moreover, stronger safeguards against the vulnerabilities of Aadhaar-enabled Payment Systems and better grievance redressal facilities need to be put in place urgently.
Lastly, it is worth noting that while Aadhaar helps service providers authenticate residents’ identity electronically, it is not proof of citizenship. In fact, Aadhaar can get deactivated upon non-usage for three consecutive years.
