O P Sharma
The most vital and unique Aadhaar card scheme is under vigorous implementation across the country and also in sensitive and border Jammu and Kashmir State. The objective is that the benefits of single identification across the country reach equally the door-steps of all the citizens.
Aadhaar, the foundation of essential data, is a 12-digit unique number which the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will issue for all residents in India (on a voluntary basis). The number will be stored in a centralized database and linked to the basic demographics and biometric information – photograph, ten fingerprints and IRIS – of each individual. It is easily verifiable in an online, cost-effective way. It is unique and robust enough to eliminate the large number of duplicate and fake identities. It will bes devoid of any classification based on caste, creed, religion and geography.
For introduction and implementation of this national programme in Jammu and Kashmir, first of all a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the State Government and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIAI) on July 14, 2010 and within a week, thereafter, the J&K Bank was roped in to prepare Aadhaar cards in Jammu and Kashmir.
The State Government in turn also entered into MoU on July 19, 2011 for implementation of this unique identification project in the Jammu and Kashmir State.
At the MoU signing ceremony, the J&K Bank President, G M Sahibzada on behalf of the bank and Commissioner-cum- Secretary, IT Department, Manoj Kumar Diwedi, on behalf of the J&K government, signed the MoU in presence of J&K Minister for IT, Agha Syed Ruhullah, J&K Bank vice president, F M Gani, UID Project Incharge, Khursheed Pandit and other seniors officers of the State and the bank were also present on the occasion and about 10,000 cards were generated.
But later on, the bank was disengaged from the work and this first ever project was given to the Registrar General of India to generate 90 lakh NPR(National Population Register) Smart Cards in Jammu and Kashmir in 2011.
According to experts the UID numbers, once in place, would reduce hassle of repeatedly proving identity by various documents to avail services like opening a bank account or obtaining passport or driving license. It will also facilitate implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme for the deserving people after overcoming some hurdles like lack of adequate number of bank branches in remote rural areas and sensitizing the masses.
The subsidy on LPG cylinders and other benefits of different schemes will be provided directly to consumers in their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) with an idea: “your money in your hands”. The people in Jammu and Kashmir must now be covered under DBT and entitled to this progressive programme both by the Central and the State Governments.
At a time when State and Central Governments are talking of transparency and grass-root level governance keeping the scheme in action is quite necessary.
When this unique scheme was launched, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was the first recipient of the card and followed by the Governor, N N Vohra and his wife Usha Vohra. The Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah who completed the enrollment process for UID Aadhaar Card with one non-technical and three technical processes was provided the card.
After enrolling for the Aadhaar card, the Chief Minister observed that Aadhaar is the one steps towards Global E-Governance in Jammu and Kashmir.
The project was taken up earnestly in the Jammu and Kashmir State. It now needs to be stressed that widespread awareness still has to be ensured and work completed within the stipulated timeframe. It is all the more important for the people in Jammu and Kashmir to catch up in the process of development and socio-economic justice. The people in this border State have suffered untold miseries due to disturbed conditions and are now yearning for peace, progress and prosperity as partners of the world’s largest democracy. Do speed up the implementation of all progressive development projects and welfare schemes for uplift of masses with Aadhaar, the firm foundation as pathway to all round progress and development.
In Jammu and Kashmir so far, merely 1.40 lakh Aadhaar cards have been prepared, according to reliable sources. Certainly, the case of implementation of this important scheme has to be stepped up for visible impact on the well being of the masses in this State as well.
Both the Central and State Governments must jointly make sustained efforts for full coverage of Aadhaar card scheme in Jammu and Kashmir so that the citizens of this part of the country also get proper and authentic identity and through it derive all the benefits of numerous development works and welfare schemes.
(Starline Syndicate Service)
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