What a mess Congress had made!!

Nandan Nilekani, ex CEO of Infosys, was made in charge of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDA), responsible for implementing the Aadhaar Scheme, a unique identification project. The investment on this project was 35000 crore from the Indian exchequer. This was in spite of formation of identity database under National Population Registrar (NPR), maintained by the census commissioner of India. One of the responsibility of NPR was to monitor the Aadhar Scheme Implementation and avoid duplication of Identification numbers by UIDA. But the best part was the chairman of UIDA, which had to report to Panning Commission of India, was given a cabinet rank. Thus the position and the department was clearly intended with Nandan Nilekani in mind and assure him a portfolio or else the departments, which his department was reporting to was cut short of such privileges and his department enjoyed more. The NPR had its own budget allotted by the central government amounting up to another huge draining of the exchequer.

It’s fine that when a competent professional as Nandan Nilekani had joined Congress, it remains the responsibility of the congress’s top brass to entangle him a reputable position. Personally, I feel, a man of such caliber should be given the responsibility to formulate ideas that could prosper the nation such as enhancement of the National Data Center or utilizing IT technology in equipping India’s traditional industries that accounts for bulk of working class of India. But such activities needs a government machinery and foremostly leaders with vision. This could be seen when the central government , in addition to keeping aside the budget from a reeling economy to UIDA, decided to segregate Indian states as NPR states and non –NPR states. Though the NPR process covers the entire country, it is more intensive in 14 States and two Union Territories, which are called ‘NPR States,’ which means that people in these States and Union Territories can get Aadhaar numbers only through the NPR. For 14 other States, four Union Territories and the National Capital Territory of Delhi, one gets an Aadhaar number through the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). This has confused the bureacrats, who were assigned to implement the scheme.

Now at present the situation in India is such that, one has registered with NPR and UIDA and have received an identification number. The number needs to be validated by NPR to ensure no duplication. Afetr validity an Aadhar card is issued. One has to know whether he belongs to an NPR or non NPR state to get the number and subsequently all the subsidies enrolled to the individual shall be enlisted under the Aadhar card. Millions of rupees to work out both the two schemes, cabinet rank portfolios, land acquisition to set up new offices , and finally the supreme court says” You don’t need to have an Aadhar number to get your subsidies and benefits”!!!!