The current issue of Aadhaar data being compromised raised many questions in credible circles. The centre assured the Supreme Court that the data is safe guarded with in the area safeguarded by 13 feet high walls with five feet thickness. Aadhaar data is confidential with millions of Indians having records of their names, addresses and biometric details.
The location where Aadhaar data is kept under fortification called as Manesar, near Delhi, Attorney General KK Venugopal, the top lawyer of the Government told the bench of five-judges constitutional bench who were assigned to hear petitions related to the privacy of data taken for the unique ID system. The lawyer also offered an opportunity to show the complex in 4 minute video to the judges recorded by Ajay Bhushan Pandey, the CEO of the UIDAI. UIDAI is the authority that issues the Aadhaar ID.
“Just because of the privacy concerns of a few, people cannot be denied efficient, transparent delivery of services,” Mr Venugopal said as he suggested showing a PowerPoint presentation in the courtroom. He also said the CEO “has a PhD in computer science” and could answer all questions relating to Aadhaar system.
The offer seems to have found acceptance as Chief Justice Dipak Misra said that he would schedule a brief presentation after holding discussions with judges.
Since the year of 2009, confidential data of demographic as well as biometric details of 1.2 billion citizens have been collected.
The Top Lawyer said that Aadhaar system is to benefit the poor and it also helps weeding out corruption and also the diversion in distribution of subsidies for the deserving.
Mr Venugopal said that making the issue of Aadhar would deprive the poor people of basic requirements. He also cited the fact that when British-ruled India faced the famine , more than two million died in Delhi alone even though there were foodgrains availble. “When Delhi asked Britain to spare food, (then UK Prime Minister) Winston Churchill said no, it has to go to the barracks for soldiers.”
What did Churchill say in the House of Commons, the Chief Justice was curious.
“Churchill said has Gandhi died because of famine? Churchill pointed out to Mountbatten (the last viceroy of India) and said – he sold India,” the Attorney General replied.
In a recent decision the Supreme Court extended the 31 March deadline for linking Aadhaar with phones, passports, bank accounts until it completely finished hearing the petitions.
Aadhaar is an Indian Government initiative which aims at delivering the government schemes to the deserving people of the country.
Many campaigners and experts have time and again questioned privacy and the safety of the confidential data, and also the susceptibility of biometrics to failure, and the data may be put to misuse for profiling or increased surveillance.