Unique Identification Card free essay sample

UID – A TRANSFORMATIONAL INITIAVE OR A PIPE DREAM Statement of the Problem 1. This research paper seeks to study and analyse the Unique Identification Card project to bring out relevant aspects of the project which make it a unique project from Indian perspective, its benefits as also the current challenges/ barriers faced by the Indian government. The paper also seeks to develop a road map for its successful implementation in the Indian scenario. Hypothesis 2. The Unique Identification number (Aadhaar), which identifies individuals uniquely on the basis of their demographic information and biometrics will give individuals the means to clearly establish their identity to public and private agencies across the country. It is believed that Unique National IDs will help address the rigged state elections and widespread embezzlement that affects subsidies and poverty alleviation programs such as NREGA. Though there are many potential privacy fallouts of this project, not the least of which is triggered by the Governments official plan to link the databases together. We will write a custom essay sample on Unique Identification Card or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The real fear is access to such a data would give the government a free hand to profiling, segmenting and targeting a sect, group or religion. This could lead to dangerous consequences. However, it is unique and robust enough to eliminate the large number of duplicate and fake identities in government and private databases. Through UID, tracking of individuals becomes easy. All information collected by UIDAI will be easily accessible to intelligence agencies such as the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) through the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) which will avert any nefarious intentions of anti national elements. Hence, it is in the interest of the country to implement the project after resolving various contentious issues involved in the project and protect privacy of each individual and individual’s fundamental right to life with dignity guaranteed by the constitution. Topic 1. UID – A Pipe Dream. Statement of the Problem 2. To study and analyse the problems involved in implementation of UID proj. Hypothesis 3. The UID project is a blatant case of infringement of civil liberties. Biometric cards invade privacy and as such are a violation of the fundamental right to life with dignity guaranteed by the constitution. There is exactly no strong edifice of biometrics on which this mega-structure is to be constructed. Patterns of iris change with age, disease and health; fingerprints can easily be tapped and copied. A register of more than 100 million identities sounds a distant dream. Its a herculean task to build such a colossal database. It is a critical piece of information infrastructure that has to come in place. So far, the project has seen less of IT and infrastructure building and more of politics. Advocated as the biggest step towards social development, the project requires efficient planning at the granule level. 4. The real fear is access to such a data would give the government a free hand to profiling, segmenting and targeting a sect, group or religion. This could lead to dangerous consequences. This data, if slipped into the hands of corporates, could be used to serve various purposes. 5. Thus UID seems to be a distant dream which is unlikely to find ground in the present Indian scenario. Unique Identification Card A Transformational Initiative or A Pipe Dream : A case study from India Scenario Research Objectives 1. To understand the uniqueness of UID projects in India in comparison with other such projects worldwide To understand the current status of UID projects in India 2. To assess the current challenges / barriers faced by the Indian government 3. To understand its benefits from consumer based study 4. To develop a road map for its sucessfull implementation