The Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC) has urged the Government not to disturb the Unique Identification Authority of India UIDAI (Aadhaar) project.
The BCIC in a release said it has been given to understand that the Union Government needs to accord sanction to the UIDAI project to enable it to continue it.
“We also note that the Parliamentary Committee and the Union Home Ministry have raised concerns over the project. In this backdrop, the BCIC urges the UPA Government to immediately accord the Cabinet sanction to continue the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) project beyond the 200 million enrolments so as to enable benefits of various schemes reach out to the vulnerable sections of the society.”
Dr Vinod Nowal, President, BCIC, has urged the UPA Government not to stall the UIDAI project as close to 165 million citizens have already been enrolled.
He said: “Since Aadhaar Project is getting very popular and over 60,000 operators have been certified and one lakh support staff are deployed on the UID process, at this stage, the process of enrolment should not be pulled out or stalled.”
Aadhaar issued by the UIDAI identify a resident and ensure that instant verification of the identity which can transform the entire delivery of various social welfare programmes, subsidies to the right audience.
The BCIC feels that the “Savings on this account would be immense and will help already stressed financial resources to reach the desired segment of population in need of welfare benefits.”
Mr M. Lakshminarayan, Senior Vice-President, BCIC, believes that the unique enrolment process initiated through the UIDAI concept is really laudable and it should continue in the overall interest of the nation as it will augment the upliftment of BPL strata which is still left out of the inclusive growth.
While Mr H.V. Harish, Vice-President, BCIC, said: “Millions of residents, especially the marginalised, lack nationally valid and reliable proof of identification. The inability to prove identity is one of the biggest barriers preventing the poor from accessing benefits and subsidies, especially in full utilisation of the benefits of NREGA and the new Food Security Bill. There is no nationally accepted, verifiable identity system that exists in the country which can be used by residents and services delivery agencies with ease and confidence.”
In view of the multiple benefits that would accrue to the millions of population, particularly in the BPL strata, and the professionalism with which the UID project is currently being managed, the BCIC strongly advocates that the UIDAI should continue its services, uninterruptedly.
Alternatively, it is recommended that a suitable alternative be devised which benefits from the current progress achieved and investments made by the operators and others till date.
The BCIC also urges that the Government takes a quick call on this crucial issue and not let uncertainty linger.