This is big and something very unexpected – According to the story that has appeared in India Today, the ambitious Unique Identification Project may soon be shown the door by Parliament Committee.
The reason given by the committee was – The UID project is directionless!
This report is quite surprising given the fact that UID distribution started close to year back and few lakh of Indian citizens have already received their cards. Not only that, just couple of days back, there was news that UID card appointments will go online to ensure faster & seamless distribution of cards.
But this particular news puts everything in jeopardy.
The draft report prepared by the committee to trash the National Identification Authority of India Bill is ready and will be revealed on Thursday. The India Today report also goes on to say that decision to trash this existing bill was taken “unanimously” by Parliaments standing Finance Committee and some of the Congress members also agree to opinion that UID project is “directionless”!
News does not cite any any names or people who have revealed this, so at this point of time, it may just be a rumour.
Additionally, it says that the bill will not be trashed entirely, but needs a thorough review / reconsideration from the ruling Congress. The committee only states that it is not acceptable in present form.
I am not an expert in parliamentary affairs, and it may be naïve to ask this – why this did not get discussed / raised / trashed when the bill was passed and christened “Aadhar” in December of 2010.
For me personally, it is quite surprising – Infact, to plan and execute the project of UID’s magnitude is extremely difficult. Prima Facie, the progress made in last 3 years since launch is substantial to say the least. Also, having a person like Nandan Nilekani at helm of this project ensures far more possibility of successful execution of UID project.
Whatever said and done, we will have to wait and see what this report recommends – at this point, the news is unsubstantiated and as such does not hold much strength.
Would love to hear your comments on this – Let us know what you think?