Dr. Vinod Nowal, President, BCIC urged the UPA government not to stall the UIDAI project as close to 165 million citizens have already been enrolled. He said: “Since Aadhaar Project is getting very popular and over 60,000 operators have been certified and one Lakh support staff are deployed on the UID process, at this stage, the process of enrollment should not be pulled out or stalled.”
Aadhaar issued by UIDAI identify a resident and ensure that instant verification of the identity which can transform the entire delivery of various social welfare programmes, subsidies etc. to the right audience. BCIC feels that the “savings on this account would be immense and will help already stressed financial resources to reach the desired segment of population in need of welfare benefits.”
Mr. M Lakshminarayan, Senior Vice President, BCIC believes that the unique enrollment process initiated through UIDAI concept is really laudable and it should continue in the overall interest of the nation as it will augment the upliftment of BPL strata which is still left out of the inclusive growth.
While Mr. H V Harish, Vice President, BCIC said: “Millions of Indian residents, especially the marginalized, lack nationally valid and reliable proof of identification. The inability to prove identity is one of the biggest barriers preventing the poor from accessing benefits and subsidies, especially in full utilization of the benefits of NREGA and the new Food Security Bill. There is no nationally accepted, verifiable identity system that exists in the country which can be used by residents and services delivery agencies with ease and confidence.”
In view of the multiple benefits that would accrue to the millions of population, particularly in the BPL strata, and the professionalism with which the UID project is currently being managed, BCIC strongly advocates that UIDAI should continue its services, uninterruptedly. Alternatively , it is recommended that a suitable alternative be devised which benefits from the current progress achieved and investments made by the operators and others till date. BCIC also urges that the Government takes a quick call on this crucial issue and not let uncertainty linger.
Sourced From: Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC)
