'The attempt to make Aadhaar mandatory has now emerged as an act of bullying by government agencies, turning citizens into subjects by making fundamental rights conditional on biometric identification,' says Gopal Krishna.
The verdict in the right to privacy case is historic and of global significance because it establishes dharma, righteousness and destroys adharma.
The verdict in the right to privacy case is historic and of global significance because it establishes dharma, righteousness and destroys adharma.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray takes an Iris scan at the Aadhaar number/UID (Unique Identification Number) card enrollment centre.
In other welfare schemes, such as those for cooking gas, pension and scholarships, which are linked to DBT, cash is transferred directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries.
Nandan M Nilekani will take charge as the head of the Unique Identification Authority of India on Thursday and has sought the cooperation of all the ministries for the success of the project.
Nandan Nilekani said plans are on track to issue Aadhaar numbers to 600 million (60 crore) people in three to three-and-half years.
The DoT is wrongly asking subscribers to link their mobile numbers to Aadhaar in order to keep them active, says Gopal Krishna.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Unique Identity (UID) project, or Aadhaar, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is testing a mobile-based payments system linked to this platform.
Admittedly, EVMs too have a UID number and any convergence of data can make the secret ballot system a party of history, warns Dr Gopal Krishna in the 5th part of his series against Aadhaar.
There are unprecedented political implications of identification based on 'biological attributes of an individual', such as employed by Aadhaar, warns Gopal Krishna.
'Bureaucrats have transformed a project meant to empower the poorest Indians into one that empowers only babus and disempowers everyone else,' says Mihir S Sharma.
The government has opted for the RuPay debit card over the Aadhaar-based platform for "last-mile" authentication in its Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.
'The government's proposal to store citizens' data including Aadhaar data under its Digital India initiative on cloud is violative of the citizens' human rights because the cloud is admittedly beyond India's jurisdiction.'
Here is how UID can help to cut down bureaucracy by automating major parts of government subsidy programmes. In addition, it will help government save on cost and give intended beneficiaries better access to the programmes.
As per an order by the University Grants Commission or the UGC, the Unique Identification (UID) number is now mandatory for students and teachers in Maharashtra who wish to avail of the various state- and centre-funded government schemes and scholarships.
Believe it or not, Prime minister Manmohan Singh's Cabinet is unable to arrive at consensus on the exact identity of AADHAAR -- Unique Identification Number (UID).
More than three crore signatures submitted to PM seeking scrapping of Aadhaar.
Seeking to set at rest controversy over Aadhar, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia has said that UID is a number and not an identity card.
It is aimed at curbing the menace of fake or duplicate PAN cards which are allotted by I-T department to taxpayers.
Aadhaar is helping in weeding fake beneficiaries from social welfare schemes and transforming lives across Jharkhand.
Civil society groups welcome the submission of a memorandum opposing Aadhaar and other anti-people policies to the prime minister along with a big truckload of signatures numbering 3.57 crore on March 14, says Gopal Krishna
Government is tougher than the private sector -- but transformative, says UPA's highly visible ex-CEO.
A Cabinet note is expected to be moved to use Aadhaar numbers for electronic Know Your Customer verification of mobile subscribers.
The Unique Identification Database Authority of India has been under the media glare ever since its launch and ever since former Infosys honcho Nandan Nilekani took over the reins as its chairman.
Last September, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government chose Tembhli, a small village in the predominantly tribal Nandurbar district, to launch its ambitious Unique Identification (UID) project - now known as Aadhaar - giving it a special mention in history.
The plan of UID/Aadhaar-based surveillance does not end with the collection of fingerprints and iris scan, it goes quite beyond it and poses a lethal threat to the idea of India, says Gopal Krishna.
LPG cash transfer to begin with Mysore, Hyderabad.
Given the security dilemma prevailing between India and China, India should curb the operation of Chinese telecom companies in India, asserts Dr Rup Narayan Das.
Human Rights activist Gopal Krishna speaks at length to Prasanna D Zore on what ails the UID project and why he thinks it should be scrapped.
Silently, resolutely, 'Aadhaar' -- as the UID project has now been christened -- and Nilekani have succeeded in attracting some of the best and brightest that the IT world can offer, both from within India and from overseas.
The 'Aadhar' unique identification number will enable inclusive growth and development for the deprived and will act as an instrument of social inclusion, UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani said.
Adoption of technology will lead to increase in employment opportunities.
Over 100 people, including 20 senior consultants and at least six VPs, have quit Infosys in 6 months.
Data privacy, he said, is a broader argument beyond Aadhaar as it includes everything such as issues related to mobile phones and social media data.
Chandrajit Banerjee, director general, CII said: "This move will bestow the benefits of information technology to the common man and will also help establish citizenship, thus enhancing security at various levels. This would further bring transparency in different delivery channels, help in mapping diverse requirements of the nation and, in turn, assure better planning and strategisation for the country."
Today my mobile service provider made me feel very special. Reason? I initiated the first step to change my service provider by getting a Unique Portable ID.
The Unique Identification Number will bring in mobility, choice, transparency and accountability at the doorsteps of the common man, UIDAI Chairman Nandan Nilekani has said.
The bank will join the UIDAI, an ambitious plan to provide unique identification number to all residents of the country, in collecting biometric and demographic details of its customers as well as others.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances