Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Dec 24: While the process of issuance of `Aadhar’ Cards (Unique Identification Cards for Indian citizens) is going to be completed in 18 States of the country by April 2013, in J&K ‘Aadhar’ Cards are being replaced by NPR Smart Cards, which will serve as ‘life-line’ of the citizens in coming times.
This first ever major exercise under the direct control of Registrar General of India to generate 90 lakh NPR (National Population Register) Smart Cards in J&K, is being commenced from January 2013. The process in all the three regions of the State including Ladakh and hilly and mountainous areas of Kashmir and Jammu regions will be completed by September 30, 2013. Directorate of Census Operation, J&K has been engaged to conduct this exercise while respective Deputy Commissioners have been appointed as District Registration Authority and Tehsildars as Tehsil Registration Authority.
The unique card being termed as citizenship identity will carry a number for each citizen and that will be his/her identity. This card will be essential for all the citizens for seeking any Government benefit including job, passport, domicile, ration card, kerosene, fertilizers, subsidy, water/ power connection, any sort of license, pay, pension, old age/ widow pension, voter I-card etc besides any banking transaction in coming times.
In country, Direct Cash Transfer Programme is being commenced through Smart Cards in 35 identified districts, 43 districts will be covered by January 10, 2013. However, in J&K the procedure covering 90 lakh population is expected to be covered within nine months. The Government has made it clear that money will be transferred to the beneficiaries only when they provide `Aadhar’/ NPR Smart Card and bank account number by the cut off date. The Government is also according priorities to digitization of beneficiary database with names, addresses and Adhar numbers. It has been suggested to have 95% Aadhar penetration level for all beneficiaries and over 95% beneficiaries should have bank accounts, with all Banks being Aadhar, NPR Smart Cards-compliant.
Vice president of J&K Bank, Nazir Ahmed disclosed that initially in 2010, Union Government’s agency (UIAI) involved J&K Bank in this exercise to prepare Adhar Cards. A private agency Infosys was also associated with it. Nearly 10,000 Aadhar cards were generated. But about 7-8 months back, after some directions from Union Home Ministry, this procedure was abruptly stopped. It was told to change the format and forms and engage some Central Government agency directly in preparing these unique cards. “What will be the fate of these existing Adhar cards in the State, we don’t know,” Mr Nazir maintained.
Joint Director, Census Operations J&K, Chander Shekhar Saproo told the Excelsior that under the guidance of UIAI and the direct control of Registrar General of India, J&K Directorate of Central Census Operations is now fully involved in this exercise of generating National Population Registration (NPR) Smart Cards, in place of `Adhar’ Cards now in J&K. A target of generating data base and 90 lakh NPR Smart cards in nine months in J&K has been given. This massive exercise is being launched on war-footing involving Dy Commissioners, Tehsildars, Naib Tehsildars Patwaris and others in coming days throughout the State. DCs will be District Registration Authority.
Replying to a question, Mr Saproo said technically there is no major difference between Adhar Card and NPR Smart Card. Purpose of both is the same and same benefits will be given to the citizens. He said in remaining States, including J&K, these NPR cards will be issued. Those people in J&K, who have already been issued Adhar cards, need not to undergo data-base or biometric exercise. They have already been issued Unique identification number. That number will remain unchanged. On the basis of that number, they will be issued NPR Smart Card, he added.
Mr Saproo further disclosed that in many areas, especially in cities and towns, data base has been generated through field workers/ teachers. Many of them have been issued TIN (Temporary Identification Numbers) numbers. Now, on the spot photographs and bio-metrics (finger- prints etc) will be taken by organising camps in the rural and semi-urban areas shortly. He said camps will be held in the same area in three rounds so that all the people are covered. Village Sarpanchs and Panchs besides Numberdars will also play a vital role in this grand first ever exercise, he added.
The Joint Director said this exercise, will bring transparency in many areas, help State and the country planners before launching new schemes for people, preparing budget for the State, a district or particular area/region and also bring transparency in voter lists revision/ preparing voter cards etc. No one is going to be entertained in any field without this Card in future and this Adhar/ NPR Smart card is going to become ‘life- line’ of the people in future, Mr Saproo maintained.
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