[Reader-list] MNIC: Parliament Questions - 7

[Taha Mehmood]

http://164.100.47.132/psearch/QResult13.aspx?qref=5515

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF  	LAW , JUSTICE AND COMPANY AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED 	 QUESTION NO  	7619
ANSWERED ON   	15.05.2000
PHOTO IDENTITY CARDS
7619 .	Shri ANANDRAO VITHOBA ADSUL
	


(a) whether large scale bungling worth crores of rupees has come to
the notice of the Government in issuing photo identity cards to voters
in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the plan of the Government to issue photo identity cards
to voters has proved a failure;

(d) if so, the reason therefor; and

(e) the action taken by the Government in this regard ?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF LAW, JUSTICE & COMPANY AFFAIRS

(SHRI RAM JETHMALANI)

(a) and (b) : The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has made
certain observations, about underutilization of funds allotted for
implementation of the scheme of Electors` Photo Identity Cards,
excess/avoidable expenditure by some States due to non-observance of
instructions issued by the Election Commission (vide para 4 of Chapter
IV of its report for the year 1997, March, Vol.-III).

(c) to (e) : No, sir. According to the Election Commission, the move
to require production of these Photo Identity Cards or any other
specified proof of identity in the recently held Assembly elections in
Haryana has largely been welcomed. In that state, about 88% of
electors have been issued these Cards and the data received from CEO,
Haryana indicates that nearly 80 per cent of the electors produced
them at the time of voting. The Commission has been continuously
monitoring the progress of the scheme of issuance of Electors` Photo
Identity Cards to ensure that all citizens registered as electors are
issued defect free Identity Cards. About thirty-eight crore electors
representing 62% of the eligible electors of the country have so far
been provided Identity Cards.