In his opinion piece in The Hindu (Op-Ed, “Questions for Mr. Nilekani,” February 6, 2013) Major General S.G. Vombatkere criticises various facets of the Aadhaar project. The essay’s central precept seems to be the alleged coercion by way of which governments are said to be enrolling residents for Aadhaar. Maj. Gen. Vombatkere also questions the worthiness and security of the project albeit on shaky grounds. As I have argued in these pages previously, peddling half-truths does not foment a constructive conversation. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) believes in addressing concerns via facts and will continue to do so.
For service delivery
At the beginning of his article, Maj. Gen. Vombatkere implies that processes outlined by the UIDAI are “meant to bypass the corrupt bureaucratic system … and bring them into the banking system.” This is an altogether erroneous assertion. First, referring to the entire “bureaucratic system” as “corrupt” is just the kind of generalisation that prevents meaningful engagement. Second, the authority pays special emphasis in designing speedy, safe and scalable enrolment processes with adequate checks and balances. Third, the UIDAI’s mandate is to provide a robust identification and authentication infrastructure to the residents of India, especially the indigent and the marginalised. The authority is responsible for putting in place strong and secure plumbing that can enhance service delivery. Financial inclusion is one such application riding on the UIDAI’s infrastructure since possession of an Aadhaar number enables opening of a bank account. What is particularly baffling is the author’s inability to see the merits of bringing “hundreds of millions of micro- and nano-investors who are today outside the banking system … into the credit economy.”
Further, the author contends that the “Aadhaar scheme appears to have quietly metamorphosed into becoming exclusionary and non-optional.” This could not be further from the truth. People from across the country have enthusiastically enrolled for Aadhaar, many have done so to avail of their first authenticable identity. As has been said previously, mandating Aadhaar in other databases for improvements in service delivery is the prerogative of the departments concerned. Moreover, the UIDAI has always held that while it will not mandate Aadhaar, service providers could do the same while ensuring that there have been adequate opportunities for residents to enrol for Aadhaar. The very fact that the government has looked beyond its own departments to public sector banks and other agencies for enrolment assistance points to its intent to maximise registration touch points while minimising exclusion.
The efficacy of the project was highlighted by a recent study (a cost-benefit analysis of Aadhaar) released by the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy. The study, which estimates the costs and benefits of Aadhaar, found that substantial benefits would accrue to the government by integrating Aadhaar with schemes such as the public distribution system, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), fertilizer and LPG subsidies, as well as housing, education and health programmes. The benefits will arise from the reduction in leakages that occur due to identification and authentication issues. Even after taking all costs into account, and making modest assumptions about leakages, of about 7-12 per cent of the value of the transfer/subsidy, they found that the Aadhaar project would yield an internal rate of return of 52.85 per cent to the government.
In order to elucidate his doubts over the technological basis of the project, Maj.Gen. Vombatkere cites the UIDAI’s Biometric Standards Committee’s observation that a project of this magnitude has never been attempted before thereby rendering comparative analysis impossible. The committee simply observed that no other nation-state has undertaken such a mammoth exercise; therefore the effectiveness of biometrics at this scale is difficult to determine. In other words, the committee did not cast doubts on the operational principles of biometric technology. Thus, to infer that the committee deterred the authority from undertaking the project is fallacious. In fact, having deployed biometric technology for 300 million residents, we can vouch for its reliability. The UIDAI has also published a paper based on scientific study demonstrating an accuracy of 99.965 per cent against a database gallery of 8.4 crore. This study resulting from such a large data set is empirically repeatable and statistically accurate. At the UIDAI, we’re taking on a moonshot in trying to address a huge problem by leveraging — and creating — an unprecedented identification technology. The lack of this kind of infrastructure has taken a severe economic and social toll on the country and we believe that radical experimentation, and not incremental fixes, will result in a durable solution.
Data security
Additionally, the author raises concerns with regards to data security and privacy on the grounds that many of the vendors working on Aadhaar are not indigenous companies. Best IT technologies used in information storage, network, database, etc. all come from international firms and are used for any IT projects across the world. This does not mean data stored there is a property of those companies. Readers will concur with the view that protecting residents’ privacy assumes data security. To that end, the UIDAI aims to be a responsible steward of data. We have invested large amounts of financial, technical and human resources implementing best-in-class security systems and processes in our data centres to keep residents’ data safe. We also hold several consultations with various stakeholders to understand concerns around security and privacy. Learnings from these exercises help us ensure that the project is designed with data security and privacy in mind.
The UIDAI chooses its service providers through competitive processes in line with procurement norms laid down by the government. Thus far, the authority has not discovered any violation of the conditions under which contracts with service providers have been signed. Furthermore, the authority has always sought to engage vendors with relevant expertise and experience irrespective of their nationality. Both Indian and non-Indian organisations have contributed significantly to the evolution of Aadhaar. While Maj.Gen. Vombatkere prefers to hold the Aadhaar ecosystem guilty until proven innocent, the authority is committed to engaging the best and brightest to build this unique infrastructure.
Finally, claiming that the “the UIDAI shelters under the Prime Minister’s protective wing and continues to stonewall not only public queries and criticism” amounts to disregarding the development of this authority as an entirely legitimate, inclusive and consultative organisation. Our workings are open for scrutiny by various governmental and non-governmental bodies. The UIDAI has consistently set new benchmarks in transparency and accountability by making public all its operations and decisions. We have always welcomed constructive criticism and continue to believe that relevant and timely feedback from people strengthens our approach and resolve.
(R.S. Sharma is director general and mission director, UIDAI.)
Keywords: Aadhaar scheme, Unique Identification Authority of India, Biometrics Standards Committee, MGNREGA, PDS ration, Rajiv Gandhi Awas Yojana
Sir,
Mr. Sharma's article simply ignores the reality and doesnt speak anything about the scathing criticism heaped on the UIDAI project by the parliament Subject Committee. This scheme is not ratified by parliament at all. In short, UIDAI has no moral or legal sanction to carry out the activities of such a large scale. This whole project is very questionable and to boot it, Mr. Nandan Nilekani or anyone connected with this project simply doesnt recognise, leave alone answering, the genuine concerns and questions about UIDAI.
Is aadhar optional? Mr. Nilekani is either reluctant to see the truth or he is lying. Already many govt. services made Aadhar compulsory like Gas connection service, rationing and for opening new bank account in Grameena banks. I am afraid soon we may have to face the situation where "If you don't have aadhaar you are not an Indian citizen"
1. Point Mr. Sharma is making is not that a citizen can't question government policy
or can't criticize a government program. He is stating that let it be based on facts and empirical evidence not hearsay and anecdotal stories. Point in case: 300M or 25% of residents have been enrolled in <3 yrs, much faster than any scheme ever undertaken by GoI.
2. We all vehemently agree that security and privacy are paramount. Technical
documents published long time ago precisely answered the issues raised by some of the critics. They should read documents before raising them.
3. Fraudulent Aadhaar were issued. Many have been revoked (3.8 lakhs in fact). Even counting all revoked numbers, this represents 0.13% of 300M. Ration cards have
over 20% fakes, LPG is somewhere in 40%. World's best census is accurate to 1%. Give UIDAI a break, please.
Aadhaar is transformative, even several countries like Indonesia and Mexico are now following it. Let us proudly accept India's accomplishment.
While the intent of the UIDAI maybe good, the means to which it is
being made operational is not constitutional and is more likely to put
more in favorable of the project opponents to it. The website of UIDAI
is an eye wash at best with very little information that actually is
helpful. This is contrary to Mr. Sharma's claims of the project being
transparent.
There is no clear procedure on how the many agencies that were given
the responsibility to do this work at the grass root level was
contracted. These agencies are not monitored and have been known to
cook up records as they see fit. If this is supposed to be a method by
which corruption is to be reduced, it is ironic then the various
agencies that are doing this work ask for token amount per customer.
And this itself does not ensure that one actually receives the card.
The agency in our area has even told us when we asked why we have not
received the card that we are doing it illegally!!! This when he has
an ID issued by GoI!!
Mr. R S Sharma may please note that on the UIDAi website, it is stated that Alleppey has two enrollment centers for Aadhar. One is supposed to be in the Head Post office and the other is supposed to be in the Iron Bridge post office. I went to both these post offices. UIDIA is conspicuous by its absence. When I asked the post office staff, they said that some people were there for a few days, but disappeared with their equipment and the post office had no idea about them.
I sent three emails to UIDIA about this, using the email address given on the website. No reply till date.
Regarding security and veracity of Aadhar data, Mr. Sharma might like to recall what happened in Hyderabad. How many false cards were issued?
How many data recording centres exist, say in a city like Bangalore, with a population of 85 lakhs? Mr. Sharma, will you complete this exercise this century?
The govt introduced Aadhar as a one-stop solution to all other
identity cards and to weed out fake cards/single person having
multiple cards like ration cards/passport etc.But as a common man
anyone is entitled to know the govt's responses to these queries
1.Already there were reports of some persons having been allocated
multiple Aadhar ids.
2.Also aadhar seems to be accepted just as a photo id proof in opening
bank accounts and many other agencies still ask for ration card/voter
id card/license instead of aadhar.
3.also there has been a separate drive for National population
register and they claim that the enrolled persons will receive
separate cards with an aadhar no as well and that the card they issue
is NOT the Aadhar card.
So the entire purpose of aadhar is defeated based on these and will
the govt then keep on introducing a new card while the old ones suffer
from plaguing probs?
Apart from these,citizens have every right to raise concerns about
their data privacy.
Mr. R. S. Sharma could have chosen to focus on the work that his
department is entrusted with rather opting to clear air about malicious
allegations. Indian democracy confers equal rights to its citizens,
however, some do not value and understand how to use them. Hence
investing time in pointless issues raised by such in itself is
productive national waste.
The efficacy of the project was highlighted by the National Institute of Public
Finance and Policy. While they have rightly concluded that there is a benefit to the
government by using Aadhar, what is not mentioned is that when
transfer/subsidies are made in cash to people it both ensures a reduction in
leakages as well as an ability to stop the subsidies, delay them or reduce them.
The government will use Aadhar not just to reduce corruption but also to cut
subsidies to the poorest.
What is also not costed is the cost of accessing the funds sent to people. With
postmasters taking a cut of money orders sent to rural people what is there to
stop bankers taking a cut to pay the cheque.
While I do not doubt a lot of good will come out of Aadhar, I doubt that the ruling
elite of this country will stop from making money off the poor and unless Aadhar
and Nilekani understands the villages and the feudal systems it will not be able to
make Aadhar a corruption beater.
Mr. Sharma: You are wrong in assuming that "people from across the country have enthusiastically enrolled for Aadhaar." May I ask that you please count my father, my mother and myself out of your fabled calculation; we have only enrolled into this very vexatious scheme with IMMENSE RELUCTANCE because the LPG suppliers have mandated that an Aadhaar identity is essential for the recovery of the subsidy. So it is not "enthusiasm" as you seem to fondly but erroneously believe, but a form of ARM TWISTING THAT COMPELS US to go through this horridly tiresome and clearly unnecessary process; the UIDAI itself states that enrolment in the Aadhaar scheme is VOLUNTARY.
Frankly, Mr. Sharma, we find this entire UIDAI business to be not only superfluous but also somewhat risky to our financial integrity. Never mind what you might have to say, please check the number and variety of complaints about Aadhaar in the newspapers and even you will agree that in the method of collection, retention, and disbursement of the data, our fears are not wholly invalid.
If an Indian wants to travel to another country, he has to have an
identity issued by the G.O.I. ie. the passport. What is then, so
outrageous about the demand that those who wish to access some
benefits available only to those qualifying for them , should have an
identity issued by the Government. This patently absurd movement
against AAdhar, is carried on by certain NGOs who are involved in
the distribution of the benefits. Therefore, a strong suspicion arises
that these NGOs have a vested interest in the huge leakages that
take place now and somehow want to stop the AAdhar scheme from
succeeding.The Government should firmly reject these objections
and go ahead. As for the CIA bogey,those who want to hide their
identity as an Indian, need not register for AAdhar, but they have no
right to compel the Government to give it up.
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