UIDAI to be fully independent (Hindustan Times)
Nandan Nilekani-headed Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) mandated to issue unique IDs or Aadhaar cards to every resident in India will get full "functional autonomy", but its future role in enrolment will be decided by the Union cabinet later this month. Planning Commission's deputy chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia is expected to inform the finance ministry on Wednesday that it is willing to delegate all powers to the authority and it should have full "autonomy" without any panel's monitoring.UIDAI to have a free hand over finances (Times of India)
The authority is all set to get financial autonomy to implement the UPA II's pet project. "We are fully backing the UIDAI," deputy chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia said.This tiny story is huge news.
UID is a very big effort that will require a lot of money and buy-in from a lot of individuals and groups with vested interests in the status quo. Any program that attempts to radically reduce corruption will be met with hooray's and huzzah's in public while those who benefit from the corruption will fight tooth and nail behind the scenes to scupper any attempts at reforming a system that works quite well as far as they are concerned.
When corruption is as endemic as it is in India, that's a lot of scuppering.
On a related note: Opponents of biometric identity management techniques (privacy advocates) often accuse biometrics providers of a lack of good faith for advocating for the use of the technologies they offer. They should at least be fair-minded enough to recognize the possibility that those who are against the adoption of biometric ID management technologies may be as self-interested as they assume the technology providers to be.
See Also:
India: UID is the Easy Part (Sept. 20, 2011)
As technologically, logistically, politically and organizationally challenging as the UID project is, it's the easy part. It makes tackling even harder problems possible.
India: Is UID Under Siege? (Sept. 27, 2011)
Identity management is about people. The people issues are always thornier than the technological problems. And, yes, UID will upset many applecarts. That's why it's important and that's why it will be hard.
India: Insight into the Bureaucratic Struggle for UID (Sept. 30, 2011)
Unique Identity Authority of India (UIDAI) chairman, Nandan Nilekani, vigorously defended his body against criticism from various government departments and dismissed concerns about the lack of checks and balances in its functioning.
