Aadhaar: House panel to study privacy concerns

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, Novmeber 15

At a time when a debate is raging on issues relating to security and privacy as regards Aaadhar data, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home under the chairmanship of former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram has decided to take it up for detailed scrutiny.

While the UPA government introduced Aadhaar as a unique identification number for citizens, the BJP-led government has been asking people to link it with various financial transaction enablers, including bank accounts, PAN number, credit cards etc. This has also been made mandatory for availing subsidies under various government schemes.

As on Wednesday, the Unique Identification Authority of India said, 118.79 crore persons had enrolled for Aadhaar. There have been sporadic reports about data leakage leading to concerns of privacy and fear that the data could be misused by unscrupulous elements.

A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court had ruled that privacy is a fundamental right. However, individual cases challenging Aadhaar are expected to come up for hearing this month.

At its recent meeting, the standing committee finalised a list of subject it would take up for detailed examination.

These included security situation in the North-East; terrorism and Naxalism; communal harmony; atrocities on weaker sections (Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes, Women etc.); modernisation of police forces; administration and development of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Puducherry; and disaster management.