Aadhaar issues, including biometric verification, directly affect people: House panel seeks review
New Delhi: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), led by Congress MP K.C. Venugopal, recently called for a review of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) amid growing concerns over erroneous Aadhaar details. These inaccuracies are reportedly hindering access to government benefits.
“This is a common man’s issue. We flagged various problems and have raised several questions,” The New Indian Express quoted Venugopal as saying.
Venugopal emphasised that Aadhaar-related issues directly affect common people, especially those involving biometric verification. The panel plans to examine the matter in detail.
Sources quoted by TNIE disclosed that the committee urged authorities to issue a circular to inform people about the Aadhaar application process and simplify its requirements. The panel also recorded briefings from officials of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, as well as the UIDAI.
Concerns about data breaches were reportedly raised by several MPs, to which UIDAI officials assured that their central repository is unbreachable. Some MPs questioned whether Aadhaar, which serves as proof of residency but not citizenship, should continue to be the basis for identifying beneficiaries of government welfare programs. They mentioned past instances of individuals using fraudulent documents to obtain Aadhaar.
Members also raised concerns about the grievance redressal process, as some Aadhaar cardholders face difficulties when their biometric details do not match or due to erroneous data entries.
Officials told the committee that they have tightened Aadhaar application regulations and have been in contact with state governments to address these issues.
*Panel Recommendations:*
* Simplify application process: UIDAI officials were urged to streamline Aadhaar application procedures.
* Protect public data: MPs raised concerns about data breaches, but UIDAI asserted that its repository is secure.
* Grievance redressal: Aadhaar holders face issues with mismatched biometric details, and improvements to the redressal process were recommended.
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Meghalaya: Interstate ATM theft racket busted, 6 arrested
Shillong (PTI): An interstate racket involved in ATM thefts across several states has been busted, with the arrest of six persons in connection with a break-in at an electronic banking outlet in Meghalaya's Ri-Bhoi district, police said on Wednesday.
The accused were allegedly involved in breaking into an ATM of the Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank on April 5, 2024, they said.
Three of the accused were arrested from Barpeta in Assam, while the remaining were apprehended from Haryana, police said.
Ri-Bhoi SP Giri Prasad M said a special police team was constituted to investigate the case.
"With coordinated efforts and assistance from Assam and Haryana Police, we were able to apprehend the accused involved in the ATM break-in," he told PTI.
The case was registered at Umiam police station under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
According to police, the gang used gas cutters to break open the ATM safe and fled with the cash within minutes.
"The group is part of a larger network involved in similar ATM thefts across different states. Further investigation is underway to dismantle the entire network," the SP added.
