AADHAAR – A PROUD IDENTITY!

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By Baskaran Krishnamurthy:

                                                               

India is unique in many ways. Anything good for the people has to pass through all the toughest tests in the world to finally and safely reach its destination. In the case of Aadhaar, the journey has been a lot more challenging to the implementing authorities and was an easy rider all through for all those who opposed it.

The word ‘right’ comes handy to protest against every right move of the government. There just could not have been a more effective system of ensuring an almost corrupt free delivery mechanism in the country. Be it subsidized commodities at the shops of Public Distribution System, the wages paid to the workers of MGNREGS, loans sanctioned by various banks for various purposes or scholarships granted by the governments to the needy, deserving students. The beneficiaries would never have an idea of what portion of the entitled goods or services or of money would reach them at all.

The level of deliberate leakage and wilful pilferage, during the past 70 years or so has risen to the level of as near as 50%  It means that half the resources allotted by the government for the poor, simply ‘vanishes’ from the scene during its ‘safe’ passage from the giver to the takers.

Can this be allowed? Is it not the duty of every public spirited person to try and find out a solution to cleanse this vastly corrupt public delivery system?  Should the government not plan to bring about changes to arrest this dangerous trend of a few people at the helm of affairs looting the bounties of the government?

A healthy method was indeed found that would pave way for a 100% guaranteed delivery system.  The  basic identity of every single citizen would be linked to a ‘Unique Number’ and would be given a card too to establish the legitimacy of one’s right to claim the benefits on the basis of this code of identification. This, for sure shuts, the door to the culprits to take the avoidable loopholes in the system to his monetary advantage.

With the advent of a unique number system of Identity called ‘AADHAAR’ and linking it to the transactions clearly meant that it would be the beneficiary and none else who could reap the benefits of a scheme by the government. ‘AADHAAR’, in that sense, facilitates a very true empowerment that has never been rewarded to the common man. This naturally is bound to stir opposition. It did.

‘Right to Privacy’, misuse of collected data, ‘why should I give?’ ‘who are you to ask?’ were all there – amplified to maximum possible decibels, to present the picture of an oppressive government taking vengeance against its own people. The well orchestrated, ill conceived campaign was carried out in great vigour with the vested interests applying full throttle racing against the decision of the government and wishes of the people.

Thanks to the Supreme Court, ‘AADHAAR’ is now here to stay.

The verdict of the apex court is very categorical in certain aspects while in many other, it is disappointing yet understandable. But it is only natural since in any dispute, disillusionment and resentment just can not be totally removed by any verdict.  But overall, the Judgement of the Supreme Court in favour of ‘AADHAAR’ has come as a great relief.

The Court has made ‘AADHAAR’ mandatory for availing subsidies of the Union government. We are at loss to understand why it should not be extended to the welfare schemes of the state governments as well. In fact this is where ‘AADHAR’ is all the more necessary!!

Compulsory linking of ‘AADHAAR’ with PAN, the main thrust of the government, has also been reiterated. This indirectly puts ‘AADHAAR’ firmly on the bank accounts that can not be opened or operated without a PAN.

Where the opposing voice has secured approval of the Court is in the areas of mobile connections and salary payments in private companies. This apart, the Court has exempted school admissions and competitive examinations, children and pensioners too.

The Court has been very meticulous in identifying the fields to be exempt from ‘AADHAAR’.  Educational admissions and employment prospects do not leave any scope for generation of income to those who seek them and there is no possibility of any ‘misappropriation’. Hence it is left out. 

Mobile connections are exempt as they are used more by the upcoming youth who are mostly ‘harmless’.  Yet, the Honourable Supreme Court might have taken a more stringent stand with regard to mobile connections as it has potential of harbouring elements of dubious activities.

Since now the constitutional validity of ‘AADHAAR’ has been clearly upheld and since ‘AADHAAR’ is here to stay, the government and the warring factions can reconcile themselves to the reality and start mending their ways.  In the wake of a clear-cut verdict by Honorable Supreme Court, we can earnestly hope that sort of sanity and wisdom would prevail all over.

We do not yet understand the shout for and folly behind the demand for scrapping of ‘AADHAAR’. This is one scheme that would only benefit the poor who have never had the privilege of asking for their full share of the benefits extended by the government – meant to be for, of and by the people.

Can there ever be an agitation in any democracy in the world against a Plan that is set to eliminate the middlemen and serve the poor as a powerful weapon in their hands?

‘AADHAAR’ linked bank accounts are the proof by themselves of peasants and workers receiving the payments on time in full. The rural women are most benefitted by this scheme of things as they need not depend upon somebody else to manage their earnings. Why then do we oppose, and not appreciate, these progressive changes? Are we so inimical to the deprived lot?

Monitoring the transactions was once a major challenge of the enforcing agencies. Money trail in the past could leave no trace at all – of its travel, of its travesty. This is not the case anymore. Nothing and none could escape the scrutinizing eyes of the Government and this in fact could be one of the reasons for some people going all out and doing everything possible to stall the implementation of some of the progressive measures.

Whether we cherish or not; whether we accept it or not, PAN, AADHAAR, Direct Transfer benefits etc can only help set the records straight. As it is beneficial to the Nation, it might be ruinous to a few too. So, opposition as a matter of right is only to be expected. Let them be. After all, a vibrant democracy is all about stirring the pond to  make it cleaner and purer. Is’nt it?

Baskaran Krishnamurthy, Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax officer in Chennai, leading columnist and Trainer for Civil Service Exams, great motivator for school children regularly interacting with them for their studies and career.

• Baskaran Krishnamurthy.
• [email protected]