For a Legal Discussion on UI Number

COMMUNICATION

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIA) with Nandan Nilekani at its head is set to provide a unique number to all Indian citizens by 2011, at a cost estimated at Rs 150,000 crores, with an initial budgeted outlay of Rs 100 crores for the current year. Obtaining the UI Number is said to be not mandatory. Thus people who would want the UI Number but to whom there is little access because of living in remote areas, and people who are absent from their home when the enumerator visits would not be blamed. But such people and also genuine citizens who exercise their right not to obtain a UI Number will inevitably be confused with people who do not want to be identified either because they are illegal immigrants from neighbouring countries or because they have nefarious or anti-national aims.

Such inevitable confusion would make genuine citizens without UI Numbers targets for police or other checks, with consequent loss of rights. At the same time, making the UI Number mandatory may bring up constitutional issues because of the State assuming the restrictive role of the “Big Brother” that limits or restricts individual freedoms. Therefore the concept of UI Number is one that perhaps calls for urgent legal discussion.

July 31, 2009

Dr S.G. Vombatkere

475, 7th Main Road, Vijayanagar 1st Stage, Mysore–570017

Tel: 0821-2515187 (E-mail: sgvombatkere@hotmail.com)