News Analysis India

Tag: UIDAI

  • Justice Mittal panel seeks SC directions to ensure Aadhaar cards to displaced, broaden compensation scheme to victims in strife-torn Manipur

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Noting that many Manipur residents may have lost their identity documents in the ethnic strife, a Supreme Court-appointed panel has urged the top court to pass a slew of directions to the state government and others including the UIDAI to ensure Aadhaar cards are made available to those displaced and the victims’ compensation scheme is broadened.

    The all-women committee headed by Justice Gita Mittal, which also comprises Justices (retd) Shalini P Joshi and Asha Menon, submitted three reports to the apex court on personal documents of the displaced persons, Manipur Victim Compensation Scheme, 2019 and the appointment of domain experts to facilitate its functioning.

    The panel has been constituted to oversee the relief and rehabilitation of those hit by ethnic violence in the border state.

    The panel of former women judges was constituted days after the apex court had termed as “deeply disturbing” the video of women being paraded naked in the state.

    Three separate reports, which were shared with the counsel concerned on Tuesday in pursuance of the apex court’s directions, were filed before a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud.

    The Justice Mittal panel said among the several gaps, which could impact reaching the benefits of relief and rehabilitation measures to the victims, the first and foremost would be “non-availability of documents for identification which would include Aadhaar cards, voter I-card/ration cards/BPL cards etc.” 

    It said enquiries have revealed that out of all the above documents, the process of obtaining a copy of the Aadhaar Card may be the simplest as the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has all the necessary information available in digital format.

    The panel has sought directions to the Deputy Director General, UIDAI, Regional Office, Guwahati as well as the Secretary, Department of Home Affairs, Manipur to jointly take all steps to ensure availability of Aadhaar card to the displaced persons whose records are available with Aadhaar authorities.

    “Direct the Secretary, Department of Finance to issue appropriate instructions to all Banks in the affected parts of Manipur to make available the details of the bank accounts held by the displaced persons to them. If necessary, the Banks should depute responsible staff members to visit the relief camps and interact with the displaced persons, ensuring continuity of banking service to them,” it said.

    The committee has also suggested urgent steps for issuing the Disability Certificates/Duplicates of Disability Certificates to specially-abled persons in the relief camps immediately.

    On the issue of compensation to the victims, the committee said the Manipur Victim Compensation Scheme, 2019 covers an extremely limited number of offences entitling a person to compensation and its outreach needs to be immediately widened.

    It said time-bound directions need to be given to National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to examine and make recommendations regarding offences other than those covered and fixation of rates of interim compensation.

    Noting the lapses in the scheme, the panel has sought directions to the Manipur High Court and the state government to urgently complete the process of appointing secretaries of the District Legal Services Authorities in all the 16 districts in the state.

    The committee urged the top court to direct the Manipur government to make appropriate amendments or modifications in the Manipur Victim Compensation Scheme, 2019 within two weeks.

    “Direct the Police Authorities to forward immediately after registration, soft and hard copies of FIRS registered so far or as may be registered hereafter to the concerned District State Legal Services Authority.

    “Directions be issued to the Government of India and Government of Manipur to provide information regarding Manipur Victim Compensation Scheme, 2019 as well as any other Special Schemes to the displaced persons under which they can take benefit,” the committee said.

    In addition to the above subjects, the committee said special care needs to be accorded to the elderly.

    The panel said it is necessary to engage with authorities and officials at all levels of the government machinery located in far-flung relief camps as well as the senior most in the bureaucracy.

    ALSO READ | When Manipur sank to its lowest, coexistence went up in smoke

    “Ascertaining their particulars as well as the contact details and contacting them can prove to be difficult. It is, therefore, essential to have urgent assistance of an accomplished and efficient former senior bureaucrat who has served in the Manipur Cadre,” it said.

    The top court, while taking note of the three reports, had on Monday said it will pass “certain procedural directions” on August 25 to facilitate the functioning of the Justice Mittal panel and to deal with issues pertaining to administrative requisitions, funding to meet administrative and other expenses, and setting up a web portal to provide necessary publicity to the work being done by the panel.

    More than 160 people have been killed and several hundred injured since ethnic violence first broke out in the state on May 3 when a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

    NEW DELHI: Noting that many Manipur residents may have lost their identity documents in the ethnic strife, a Supreme Court-appointed panel has urged the top court to pass a slew of directions to the state government and others including the UIDAI to ensure Aadhaar cards are made available to those displaced and the victims’ compensation scheme is broadened.

    The all-women committee headed by Justice Gita Mittal, which also comprises Justices (retd) Shalini P Joshi and Asha Menon, submitted three reports to the apex court on personal documents of the displaced persons, Manipur Victim Compensation Scheme, 2019 and the appointment of domain experts to facilitate its functioning.

    The panel has been constituted to oversee the relief and rehabilitation of those hit by ethnic violence in the border state.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The panel of former women judges was constituted days after the apex court had termed as “deeply disturbing” the video of women being paraded naked in the state.

    Three separate reports, which were shared with the counsel concerned on Tuesday in pursuance of the apex court’s directions, were filed before a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud.

    The Justice Mittal panel said among the several gaps, which could impact reaching the benefits of relief and rehabilitation measures to the victims, the first and foremost would be “non-availability of documents for identification which would include Aadhaar cards, voter I-card/ration cards/BPL cards etc.” 

    It said enquiries have revealed that out of all the above documents, the process of obtaining a copy of the Aadhaar Card may be the simplest as the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has all the necessary information available in digital format.

    The panel has sought directions to the Deputy Director General, UIDAI, Regional Office, Guwahati as well as the Secretary, Department of Home Affairs, Manipur to jointly take all steps to ensure availability of Aadhaar card to the displaced persons whose records are available with Aadhaar authorities.

    “Direct the Secretary, Department of Finance to issue appropriate instructions to all Banks in the affected parts of Manipur to make available the details of the bank accounts held by the displaced persons to them. If necessary, the Banks should depute responsible staff members to visit the relief camps and interact with the displaced persons, ensuring continuity of banking service to them,” it said.

    The committee has also suggested urgent steps for issuing the Disability Certificates/Duplicates of Disability Certificates to specially-abled persons in the relief camps immediately.

    On the issue of compensation to the victims, the committee said the Manipur Victim Compensation Scheme, 2019 covers an extremely limited number of offences entitling a person to compensation and its outreach needs to be immediately widened.

    It said time-bound directions need to be given to National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to examine and make recommendations regarding offences other than those covered and fixation of rates of interim compensation.

    Noting the lapses in the scheme, the panel has sought directions to the Manipur High Court and the state government to urgently complete the process of appointing secretaries of the District Legal Services Authorities in all the 16 districts in the state.

    The committee urged the top court to direct the Manipur government to make appropriate amendments or modifications in the Manipur Victim Compensation Scheme, 2019 within two weeks.

    “Direct the Police Authorities to forward immediately after registration, soft and hard copies of FIRS registered so far or as may be registered hereafter to the concerned District State Legal Services Authority.

    “Directions be issued to the Government of India and Government of Manipur to provide information regarding Manipur Victim Compensation Scheme, 2019 as well as any other Special Schemes to the displaced persons under which they can take benefit,” the committee said.

    In addition to the above subjects, the committee said special care needs to be accorded to the elderly.

    The panel said it is necessary to engage with authorities and officials at all levels of the government machinery located in far-flung relief camps as well as the senior most in the bureaucracy.

    ALSO READ | When Manipur sank to its lowest, coexistence went up in smoke

    “Ascertaining their particulars as well as the contact details and contacting them can prove to be difficult. It is, therefore, essential to have urgent assistance of an accomplished and efficient former senior bureaucrat who has served in the Manipur Cadre,” it said.

    The top court, while taking note of the three reports, had on Monday said it will pass “certain procedural directions” on August 25 to facilitate the functioning of the Justice Mittal panel and to deal with issues pertaining to administrative requisitions, funding to meet administrative and other expenses, and setting up a web portal to provide necessary publicity to the work being done by the panel.

    More than 160 people have been killed and several hundred injured since ethnic violence first broke out in the state on May 3 when a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

  • UIDAI urges document updation for Aadhaar numbers issued over 10 years back

    By PTI

    NEWDELHI: Aadhaar holders who were issued the unique ID more than 10 years back but have not updated their details since then are being urged to update identification and residence proof documents, UIDAI said on Tuesday.

    In a statement, UIDAI — the government agency that issues Aadhaar numbers — said the updation can be done online as well as at Aadhaar centres.

    It said those who were issued the unique identification number more than 10 years back and have not done any updation since the issue are being “requested” to update their documents.

    UIDAI, however, did not say if this updation is mandatory.

    “Any person who had got their Aadhaar made 10 years back and not updated the information in any of the subsequent years are being requested to do document updation,” it said.

    The updation of identification document and proof of residence is being done on payment of the requisite fee.

    “This facility can be accessed on My Aadhaar portal or by visiting nearest Aadhaar centre,” it added.

    Aadhaar programme establishes identification through iris, fingerprint and photographs.

    Over the last 10 years, Aadhaar number has emerged as a source of identification for individuals, the statement said. The Aadhaar number is used in different government schemes and services.

    To avail of government benefits, individuals are expected to update Aadhaar data so as to avoid any inconvenience in identification/certification, it added.

    NEWDELHI: Aadhaar holders who were issued the unique ID more than 10 years back but have not updated their details since then are being urged to update identification and residence proof documents, UIDAI said on Tuesday.

    In a statement, UIDAI — the government agency that issues Aadhaar numbers — said the updation can be done online as well as at Aadhaar centres.

    It said those who were issued the unique identification number more than 10 years back and have not done any updation since the issue are being “requested” to update their documents.

    UIDAI, however, did not say if this updation is mandatory.

    “Any person who had got their Aadhaar made 10 years back and not updated the information in any of the subsequent years are being requested to do document updation,” it said.

    The updation of identification document and proof of residence is being done on payment of the requisite fee.

    “This facility can be accessed on My Aadhaar portal or by visiting nearest Aadhaar centre,” it added.

    Aadhaar programme establishes identification through iris, fingerprint and photographs.

    Over the last 10 years, Aadhaar number has emerged as a source of identification for individuals, the statement said. The Aadhaar number is used in different government schemes and services.

    To avail of government benefits, individuals are expected to update Aadhaar data so as to avoid any inconvenience in identification/certification, it added.

  • UIDAI to encourage people to update their Aadhaar biometrics every 10 years: Official

    Once a person is over a certain age, say 70 years, then the updation of their biometrics, demographics, etc will not be required, an official said.

  • Over Rs 980 crore spent on Aadhaar enrolments, updates since 2019-20: Centre

    Officials claimed that the UIDAI has taken adequate steps to address duplicate or multiple Aadhaar generation issues and regular efforts are made to upgrade systems and procedures.

  • Govt withdraws advisory against sharing photocopy of Aadhaar with entities

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The government has withdrawn an UIDAI advisory that cautioned the general public against sharing photocopy of their Aadhaar with any organisation.

    The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) said it is withdrawing the press release as it can lead to misinterpretation.

    “The release advised the people to not to share photocopy of their Aadhaar with any organisation because it can be misused. Alternatively, a masked Aadhaar which displays only the last 4 digits of Aadhaar number, can be used. However, in view of the possibility of the misinterpretation of the Press Release, the same stands withdrawn with immediate effect,” the statement said.

    A press release issued by the Bengaluru Regional Office of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) asked the general public not to share photocopy of one’s Aadhaar with any organisation because it can be misused.

    Alternatively, a masked Aadhaar which displays only the last 4 digits of the biometric ID can be used for the purpose, it had added.

    MeitY, in the withdrawal statement, said the UIDAI issued Aadhaar card holders are only advised to exercise normal prudence in using and sharing their Aadhaar numbers.

    “Aadhaar Identity Authentication ecosystem has provided adequate features for protecting and safeguarding the identity and privacy of the Aadhaar holder,” the statement added.

  • UIDAI working to make smartphones as ‘universal authenticator’: CEO Saurabh Garg

    Chief executive Saurabh Garg said at present, of the overall 120 crore mobile connections, 80 crore are smartphones which could be used for the authentication.

  • Panel recommends government, its agencies may be exempt from proposed data protection law

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The government and its agencies, including police, CBI, ED, R&AW, IB and UIDAI, may be exempt from the proposed data protection law for national security and public welfare reasons provided they follow the prescribed procedures that are fair and reasonable, a parliamentary panel has recommended in a report adopted on Monday.

    The Joint Committee of Parliament on Personal Data Protection Bill has also recommended that social media giants such as Twitter and Facebook should be treated as “social media platforms”, not intermediaries, and be brought under this proposed law.

    Meanwhile, members of the Congress and the TMC gave dissent notes to the committee.

    As per the report, the panel has maintained the contentious Clause 35 of the proposed act which empowers central government and its law enforcing agencies to process data without seeking permission from the individual for the purpose of sovereignty, safety of the State and for friendly relations with foreign states, sources said.

    However, the committee has recommended that the rules, whixch are supposed to be framed by the government, for giving exemption to certain agencies “should be fair, reasonable and proportionate” they said.

    The sources said intelligence and law enforcement agencies such as the ED, CBI, IB and RA&W could be given exemption under the law.

    Similarly, organisations such as the UIDAI, which processes data for functioning of the government and service of the people, may also also be exempted under this proposed act, they said.

    Besides Clause 35 of the proposed law, several arms of the government, whether state or central, such as police, could also be given exemptions in certain cases for their functioning as authorised by various laws, the sources said.

    Similarly UIDAI, the Income Tax Department and other departments of the Centre and states may be exempted from this proposed legislation for doing the function of the government and providing services to the people, they said.

    The committee in its report also maintained the penalty clause as it was in the original law, while fixing its upper limit, the sources said.

    In case of minor delinquencies, penalty on data fiduciary will not exceed Rs five crore or two per cent of total worldwide turnover of its preceeding financial year, whichever is higher.

    Similarly, in case of major delinquencies, the penalty will be Rs 15 crore or four per cent of the global turnover, they said.

    Talking about the report, committee chairman PP Chaudhary said more than 200 amendments and 93 recommendations from committee members have been made.

    “This report is an outcome of extensive deliberations by all members of the committee and all stakeholders. I personally extend my thanks to all members for their cooperation. This law will have a global impact and will set international standards in data protection,” Chaudhary told PTI.

    The panel has recommended sufficient transition period of 24 months for the implementation of this proposed legislation after it enacted as law, he said.

    The report was delayed by the panel as its former chairperson Meenakshi Lekhi was elevated a minister and Chaudhary was appointed as its new chairperson.

    The bill was referred to the JCP for scrutiny before it is taken up by Parliament for consideration and passage.

  • UIDAI plans to open 166 standalone Aaadhar enrolment and update centres

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has plans to open 166 standalone Aaadhar enrolment and update centres across the country, an official statement said on Saturday.

    At present, 55 Aadhaar Seva Kendras (ASKs) out of the 166 planned centres are operational in addition to about 52,000 Aadhaar enrolment centres run by banks, post offices and state governments.

    “UIDAI plans to open 166 stand-alone Aadhaar Enrolment and Update Centres in 122 cities across the country,” the statement said.

    The ASKs are open on all days of the week and have so far catered to over 70 lakh residents including Divyang persons.

    The operational centres have a capacity to handle up to 1,000 enrolments and update requests per day for Model-A ASKs, upto 500 enrolments and update requests per day for Model B ASKs and up to 250 enrolments and update requests per day for Model C ASKs.

    As on date, over 130.9 crore Aadhaar numbers have been generated.