SHILLONG: A book compiled by Rev PBM Basaiawmoit on the various aspects of the Aadhaar number and Aadhaar card was released by HSPDP legislator KP Pangniang on Tuesday. Speaking on the occasion, Basaiawmoit, said that the book was compiled with a sole intention to make people aware of the issue of Aadhaar which is contentious since 2013 though it was brought as UIDAI Bill in 2010.
“The Union Finance Minister has introduced it in the Lok Sabha as money bill by the title Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016,”he said. He further added that the bill is likely to collide with the Supreme Court’s ruling on Right to Privacy. According to Basaiawmoit, Meghalaya has the lowest percentage of Aadhaar takers with only 1 percent followed by Assam with 3 percent. “Citing fear of possible and uncontrolled influx as the main reason for both the states ‘Say No’ to Aadhaar” the author said. Basaiawmoit further said that the book raised questions on the issues pertaining to the social security and the threats it poses to the right to privacy.The gathering was also attended by the general secretary of KSU, Auguster Jyrwa, CASA officer for Meghalaya, Tbn SP Rngikseh, Pastor PB Syngkli, Rangbah Shnong of Mawpat K Ryntathiang, former MLA Edward Kurbah and general secretary of Seng Kur ka Meisin, Rev RF Kharkrang. It is a small 49 page book which tells the history of the Aadhaar, the concept having begun just after the 1999 Kargil War during NDA I and later taken up and concretized by UPA II since 2009 but has faced challenges to its usage in the Supreme Court and now a Bill has been introduced in the Lok Sabha for making Aadhaar compulsory.
The book places before the readers both merits and demerits of Aadhaar.
