Why a book on Aadhaar? Why now?
Transformative changes in India have arrived in the wake of crises. In stark contrast Aadhaar was a planned birth. How India created the world’s largest identification platform, why two national parties with divergent views invested political capital on Aadhaar… the howdunit and whodunit is worth knowing and telling.
Aadhaar has been called transformative and intrusive. What is your view?
The potential of Aadhaar is revolutionary. If well shepherded, it can deliver good governance on multiple fronts.
People have serious concerns about privacy, about it being used for surveillance.
In its current form, the technological and legal architecture inhibits the use of Aadhaar as a surveillance system. India needs a law for data protection and privacy—not just for Aadhaar but for protecting individuals’ rights.
Reading between the lines from the book it seems political masters did not heed repeated advice on data protection and privacy. Was this intentional?
In fact, this should have been a priority. At another level, it reflects the complexity of the issue as witnessed in the hearings on privacy in the highest court. There are complaints galore about Aadhaar.
At the Aadhaar end, there is a need for capacity to meet expansion of use—delays in enrolment/updation must be addressed. There is also a need for a real time grievance redressal mechanism. At the systemic level the government must resolve lack of administrative capacity and connectivity to prevent denial of benefits to the poor.
Shouldn’t those who do not avail of subsidies, be allowed to opt out?
Theoretically one could argue those not seeking subsidies be let alone. Technically and legally, this is not possible. The universalisation of Aadhaar is driven by two objectives. To enable the poor to establish identity to seek benefits and to clean up the system of fakes and duplicates.
Do you think that such wide application of Aadhaar is necessary?
Expansion must be about outcomes. It is critical that the government not expand Aadhaar mindlessly. Ideally the government must conduct state of preparedness before expansion.
You are working on your third book. Does its title also start with A and have India in it?
No, it doesn’t start with A! The third book is on failures in public policy and its impact on middle class lives.