[Reader-list] Delay breeds corruption, EPIC cards and corruption, role of election commission in breeding corruption.

[Taha Mehmood]

Dear Rajen,

I think any mass based exercise which involves almost 700 million people is
bound to result in some inconveniences.  This is understandable. So a bunch
of drunk dalits here or some burqa clad women there will not make much of a
difference to the overall elections. At best one can conclude that such
events happen because of the lack of alertness on behalf of the individual.

I do not think that it is government of India's fault that only 50% of all
the eligible voters voted in the second phase of general elections. There
were instances of nil voting in several booths in Karnataka. One can only
interpret this as voter apathy and nothing else. Anyways.

Regarding MNIC. I do not think that as citizens we are in position to do
wishful thinking about MNIC. I think this decision is for the policy makers
and the politicians to take. As citizens our role is different. Our role is
to ask questions. Take our responsibility in our own hands. Generate
dialogue. Create conditions for a public debate.

As I have said earlier, I would unhesitatingly go for a MNIC card, if my
government decides to go for a national roll out. My position has not
changed. I have a driving licence, a voter ID card, a passport and
inshalllah I will have MNIC too, if that is going to be the case.

That aside. Now regarding the broad picture concerning a national identity
card, I want to put to use, my role as a citizen to ask questions.

-How does the government of India plans to identify -citizens-, when we in
India have a presence of a huge amount of transient population, undocumented
population, and invisible population? Almost 300-400 million people.

-How will the data so collected be used?

-How can we (citizens of India) ensure that the highly sensitive personal
data which we will share with the government like finger biometrics, bank
account details, land records and so on will be put to just use?

-Will the government of India subcontract the issuance of MNIC to private
sector? What will be the terms of such a contract?

-What is the time frame of such an exercise? How much money will be
required?

-Has the Government of India made some policy regarding MNIC? If yes, then
what is the nature of such a policy?  What is advantages of such a policy?
What are its drawbacks? Why are policy documents regarding MNIC not made
public? Why is NICNET website on MNIC is still -under construction- even
after five years of introduction of MNIC program?

- IS there any other way wherein the Government  can document the entire
country while using Existing technologies? which will certainly involve less
public money. What happened to the very INDIAN attitude of Jugaad and
re-use?

I think you make an interesting point that why can't government servants in
other department be pooled for the census survey, I agree with you, however,
I do not think that any Government can override itself by ignoring
departmental boundaries. There are certain procedures which are binding in
departmental matters and no government can ignore them.

For us, the people of this country, the task at hand, is to is play the role
of citizens. Which explicitly requires, that we ask questions. Because not
only does MNIC involves a huge amount of public money but also after its
implementation it will have an impact on our day to day living and even in
the manner we interact with each other as a society.

Regards

Taha