With more than 10 lakh people in the city having enrolled for Aadhaar, the Census Directorate has assured that none would be left out of the unique identification project.
Although 31 lakh more people have to be covered by September, Joint Director of Directorate of Census Operations (Tamil Nadu) M R V Krishna Rao said that the department was trying to cover 70 to 75 per cent of the total 41 lakh people by September.
“There is no need to worry. Permanent centres would be opened at zonal offices of the Chennai Corporation from October and people can go to the Corporation office and register themselves,” he said.
As per the Directorate of Census, the newly-added areas have not been included in Chennai Corporation under Aadhar project. “Those living in the newly-added areas will be covered by the districts to which they were attached earlier,” he said.
The State already has 20 lakh Aadhar cards issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India. The whole process was stopped as the State was keen to have it done through the National Population Registry, he said.
So, what will happen to those who already have the Aadhar cards issued by UIDAI? “Those cards are valid, but then the data has to be updated in National Population Registry (NPR). These card holders have to contact the operators to link their Aadhar card to the NPR,” said Rao.
But, the biggest challenge is to cover all those who had not registered during the census survey conducted in June-July 2010.
Since they don’t have the acknowledgement form, they are ineligible for enrolment, but they could still get enrolled, Rao said.
“All one has to do is fill up the form available with the Corporation zonal office and hand it over there. Those unable to do it can take the help of the zonal officers. The details are also available on the Chennai Corporation website,” he said.
During the survey conducted in 2010, a total of 1.83 crore households were registered. The forms were scanned at the Census Directorate’s centre and the images were then given to Bharat Electronics Limited. These images were categorised based on the districts and circulated to six to seven data centres in the State.
“These are the data which will be on the screen of the operator while taking in the biometric data,” Rao said. While enrolling for Aadhar cards, the operator will correct misspelt names and change the address in case there is a change of ward.
The other issue is that people are not aware when the process to enrol for Aadhar would begin in their ward. This, Rao said, would be decided by the Corporation zonal office.
“We are not going in for massive awareness as we don’t have adequate manpower,” he said.
A day before the enrolment process, Corporation officials will be providing a KYR (Know Your Resident) form.
After filling in the form, residents have to bring it along with the acknowledgment card provided during the census operation in 2010, for the enrolment process which includes capturing of biometric data.
The KYR form seeks details pertaining to pan card, ration card, passport number, etc. But these are optional. After the data is stored in the system, the applicant is given 92 hours’ time to correct any information which is to be provided to the operator.
However, the operator cannot do anything with regard to change of data.
“It is only the supervisor at the centre, who can make the changes. After 92 hours, no changes can be made,” Rao said.
Once the data is compiled, after the de-duplication process, a 12-digit Aadhar number will be generated.
The number will be stored in a centralised database and will be linked to the basic demographics and biometric information (photograph, 10 fingerprints and iris) of each individual. The random number generated will be devoid of any classification based on caste, creed and geography.
After this, the process of issuing the Aadhar cards will begin.
First, the data will be verified by the registrars in the Corporation Office and the Police Department.
“They have to certify, after which the card will be generated,” said Rao. The card is easily verifiable online and is unique and robust enough to eliminate the large number of duplicate and fake identities. The card will help prevent rigging in elections and widespread embezzlement that affects subsidies and poverty alleviation programmes such as NREGA.
It will also address the issue of illegal immigration into the country.