BJP attacks Aadhar scheme for not having Parliament sanction

The UIDAI, which has run into controversies recently, came under fresh attack with the BJP alleging that the Aadhar card issued by it to citizens as a unique identification does not have Parliament's approval and has been rejected by one of the key committees of the House.

"The reality is that the National Identification Authority of India Bill, 2010, which gives sanction to this particular card was rejected by the standing committee on Finance," BJP Vice President Smriti Irani said, alleging that the programme violates the constitutional right to privacy.

She was speaking at a programme on Aadhar here.

"The reality is striking for me as an Indian that a concept which does not have the sanction of Parliament today is collecting bio-metric data which violates the constitutional right to privacy," she said.

BJP has questioned the Aadhar scheme and argued that it should not be given to those who do not have bona fide papers and citizenship. It has alleged that several illegal migrants have got Aadhar cards.

"While the Aadhar card is one of the most ambitious projects that the government speaks about, the reality is that they are awaiting a Supreme Court decision regarding this," Irani said.

She went on to add that governance was not only about 'what' but also about 'how'.

The BJP leader said that while the country celebrates the rising level of literacy, the reality is that the latest figures reveals that 50 per cent of our children -- boys and girls-- drop out of school at the secondary level.

"In rural areas, only six per cent are graduates and in urban areas, it is only 22 per cent and I say this today because for a nation's journey to be fruitful one can determine the milestones when one totally accepts the stark reality and challenges that are before us today," she added.

Speaking at the same programme earlier, UIDAI Chairman Nandan Nilekani had said the authority will beat the target of generating 60 crore Aadhaar numbers before schedule in the next few months.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) Chairman said 46 crore Aadhar numbers have been given so far.

"By 2014, there was a target to generate 60 crore aadhar numbers. We will beat this before schedule in next few months. So far 46 crore Aadhar numbers have been given. In September we added 2.5 crore Aadhar numbers," Nilekani said

Speaking on health sector, Irani said that although talks have been going on about the use of expansive technology to support the weakest as government is about leaving nobody behind, the reality is different.

"In terms of health, the reality is that around 48 per cent of Indians borrow heavily to pay hospital bills and this drives around 39 million people every year in debt," she said.

Meanwhile BJD leader Jay Panda referred to the Aadhar project as the only thing that the government has done well.

"I also am in the opposition and there are many things which I find wrong in the way this government is governing the country. But if I were to find one thing that they are doing well, it is UIDAI project," Panda said.

He went on to add that 28 years ago a Prime Minister said that for every rupee that is spent on public purpose, only 15 paise reaches the average India. Four years ago, the Planning Commission came out with a document which showed that every rupee that the government spends, only 27 paise worth of food reaches the average man.

"So it has improved but it is hardly an improvement. We have find better ways of doing it and there has been no better idea put so far than this project.

"As an opposition member supporting this project is not easy but I do it. No matter how bad the government is, and it is pretty bad, accidentally they stumble upon the right thing and we have to make sure that it survives the transition of government," Panda said.

He said that there should be Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section to address concerns on illegal immigrants using the card and others. "Once it is in place, there will be much less scepticism," Panda added.