Unique Identification Card: Analysis
UID – A TRANSFORMATIONAL INITIAVE OR A PIPE DREAM
Statement of the Problem
1. This research paper seeks to study and analyse the Unique Identification Card project to bring out relevant aspects of the project which make it a unique project from Indian perspective, its benefits as also the current challenges/ barriers faced by the Indian government. The paper also seeks to develop a road map for its successful implementation in the Indian scenario.
Hypothesis
2. The Unique Identification number (Aadhaar), which identifies individuals uniquely on the basis of their demographic information and biometrics will give individuals the means to clearly establish their identity to public and private agencies across the country. It is believed that Unique National IDs will help address the rigged state elections and widespread embezzlement that affects subsidies and poverty alleviation programs such as NREGA. Though there are many potential privacy fallouts of this project, not the least of which is triggered by the Government's official plan to link the databases together. The real fear is access to such a data would give the government a free hand to profiling, segmenting and targeting a sect, group or religion. This could lead to dangerous consequences. However, it is unique and robust enough to eliminate the large number of duplicate and fake identities in government and private databases. Through UID, tracking of individuals becomes easy. All information collected by UIDAI will be easily accessible to intelligence agencies such as the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) through the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) which will avert any nefarious intentions of anti national elements. Hence, it is in the interest of the country to implement the project after resolving various contentious issues involved in the project and protect privacy of each individual and individual’s fundamental right to life with dignity guaranteed by the
Statement of the Problem
1. This research paper seeks to study and analyse the Unique Identification Card project to bring out relevant aspects of the project which make it a unique project from Indian perspective, its benefits as also the current challenges/ barriers faced by the Indian government. The paper also seeks to develop a road map for its successful implementation in the Indian scenario.
Hypothesis
2. The Unique Identification number (Aadhaar), which identifies individuals uniquely on the basis of their demographic information and biometrics will give individuals the means to clearly establish their identity to public and private agencies across the country. It is believed that Unique National IDs will help address the rigged state elections and widespread embezzlement that affects subsidies and poverty alleviation programs such as NREGA. Though there are many potential privacy fallouts of this project, not the least of which is triggered by the Government's official plan to link the databases together. The real fear is access to such a data would give the government a free hand to profiling, segmenting and targeting a sect, group or religion. This could lead to dangerous consequences. However, it is unique and robust enough to eliminate the large number of duplicate and fake identities in government and private databases. Through UID, tracking of individuals becomes easy. All information collected by UIDAI will be easily accessible to intelligence agencies such as the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) through the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) which will avert any nefarious intentions of anti national elements. Hence, it is in the interest of the country to implement the project after resolving various contentious issues involved in the project and protect privacy of each individual and individual’s fundamental right to life with dignity guaranteed by the