Aadhar for People, Support for Government

Aadhar is the moniker given to the Unique Identification Number or some of the marketing enthusiasts would say a 'Brand Name' to the entire UIDAI's process. Unique Identification Authority of India is headed by the once software bigwig Mr. Nandan Nilekani. Nilekani who has a successful software career with Infosys and multi million networth but this advisor to the Government tag is more important. Its more like any European football club is proud of its League title and the Domestic cup win but Champions League win is altogether different.

The UIDAI's mandate is to issue every resident a unique identification number linked to the resident's demographic and biometric information, which they can use to identify themselves anywhere in India, and to access a host of benefits and services. So for now the likes of Shamita Shetty and Tanisha will have a unique identity and not just mere star sisters !!

Recently the Aadhar card came into much news as government announced cash transfer rollout. There is a lot of excitement and anxiety both about the Government's stance over this step. Rather than doling out subsidies in the physical format, a model is developed where cash is transferred directly into the accounts of the beneficiaries. The identification of the eligible beneficiaries is sought to be done on the basis of Aadhar cards. This new identification system will be more than 99% fool proof and hence cannot be corrupted. After hearing this, I wonder the Gangarams of this world will break into a jig and develop a new dancing style. #GangaramStyle

But nothing in India is without hurdles. Be it municipal roads for the Indian cars or off late the English spinners for the Indian batting lineup. Then why an exception to this. The main hurdle is rolling out the remaining cards in just over 18 months and the number is huge. Huge enough for an ordinary citizen but not huge enough for an ordinary politician. For one it relates to a number seen in textbooks for other it is the amount of the scam. Yeah, so the amount is somewhere in the region of 38 crores. Expect last minute rush which would lead to increased inefficiency and even duplicity. Another problem to this magnanimous project is the biometrics. For most of the lesser educated population the word 'biometrics' draws parallels from something taken out from movies like Krisshh and Ra.One. So taking biometric prints that to for labourers and farmers is a difficult task in itself plus their prints vary over lifetime. Also iris scans of the population over 60 is largely unreliable. So if you are a farmer above sixty then you are screwed. Loss of identity alert.

Aadhar is solely dependent on National Population Registrar and the cards are issued to the people covered by them so far. Its like a token oriented line, no matter how empty the line looks you have to wait till that idiot ahead of you comes back from his loo break and gets his thing done. #PersonalWoes. Add to that the guessing game played by the government. They are waiting for the iron to get hot so that they can strike, instead only thing getting hot are people's heads. But the irons, the woods and the putters all will be hot when elections cometh. Golf analogy .. Rory or Tiger will get this !!

Its true that current government will use the cash transfer as that dangling carrot in front of Hungry India, Poor India for votes. Initially the subsidies only will be added to the accounts but slowly but steadily pensions, wages and even scholarships will be routed through. Model is foolproof they say. Model is implemented successfully in Brazil they say. We have got jugaad for everything in India they never said. We dont have everything what Brazil has they never said. Pele, Ronaldo, Adriana Lima and Gisele Bundchen just did a collective facepalm.

So then what next? If this goes ahead, anything and everything will be based on Aadhar card only. A certain meaningful 'conditional' cash transfer will go for a toss. Unless levied with meaningful conditions India will not use it wisely. What starts with subsidies and food, fuels and fertilizers will reach to hoarding, gambling and black marketing in no time. Its like double edged sword which even the wielder needs to be wary about.

How we wish some particular qualities can be distributed through the Aadhar system. Some honesty and dignity for our politicians. Some acting talent and class for our film fraternity especially some heroes and heroines. Some shame for the anti social elements and finally some writing talent for the author. Thanks !!