There are a number of media reports about how biometrics are useful in certain situations, but I would like to focus on the directive about linking one’s Aadhaar details with one’s mobile phone number. Most of us are being bombarded with SMS-es that say: “As per Govt. of India directive, it is mandatory to link Aadhaar to your mobile number”. The finger prints of the elderly may not register due to the texture of the skin as one ages. In such cases, there has to be an alternate mechanism. Even in the U.S. visa process, those who are under 14 years or over 80 are mostly exempt from such requirements.
Sarada Movva,
Secunderabad
Those of us who are subscribers of private service providers are being subject to frequent SMS alerts and tele-calls in connection with linking one’s Aadhaar details with one’s mobile number. Many of these messages hold out the threat of disconnection if “not immediately completed”. These are nothing but pressure tactics and the providers must remember that the directive from the Department of Telecom (which cites a Supreme Court order on security) to re-verify all existing connections with Aadhaar has a deadline of February 2018.
Why issue such empty threats? Those of us who rush to the “nearest centre” also find the linking process to be problematic. There are instances where the biometric machines at the service centres do not work and customers are asked to “return later”. The elderly also face the problem of fading fingerprints. To be asked repeatedly to go through the process is a clear lack of application of mind. This is also a problem for those who live in towns and villages where access to a service centre is difficult. It is unacceptable that telecom firms are justifying such pressure tactics “in order to avert a rush before the February deadline” and that they are spending huge amounts of money to carry out this exercise.
Daisy Alexander,
Palayamkottai, Tamil Nadu
