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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National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
