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"Will the Magic Number Deliver?" - Roundtable on Aadhaar at CSLG, JNU, April 26

by Sumandro Chattapadhyay last modified Apr 20, 2016 10:49 AM
The Centre for the Study of Law and Governance (CSLG), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), will organise a roundtable discussion on Tuesday, April 26, to discuss the Aadhaar project and Act. Along with Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Prasanna S, Apar Gupta, and Chirashree Dasgupta, Sumandro Chattapadhyay will be one of the discussants. It will take place in the CSLG Conference Room at 6 pm.

Event details

When

Apr 26, 2016
from 06:00 PM to 08:00 PM

Where

Conference Room, Centre for the Study of Law and Governance (CSLG), Jawaharlal Nenhru University (JNU), New Delhi 110067

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Discussion Note

The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, was enacted by the Parliament on March 16. Thereafter it has been notified on March 26.

The Act empowers the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) to collect biometric and demographic information of residents to provide them with a unique number. This unique number is to be used for enumeration, identification and targeting of beneficiaries of government subsidies and services.

Since the creation of the UIDAI as an executive authority in 2009, this process of enumeration has been ongoing. Recently, it was announced that more than 100 crore residents have been given their aadhaar cards. Alongside, however, legal challenges have continued in the Supreme Court.

Given this context, this Roundatable Discussion will focus on the following set of questions (among others):

  • Can the Aadhaar Number enable better delivery of government subsidies and services?

  • How does the Act ensure data protection?

  • Is there a right to privacy in India? What are the implications in the context of Aadhaar?

  • Does the Act ensure public access to statutory remedies in case of violations?

  • Did the Aadhaar Bill fulfil the requirements of a money bill?

 

Discussion Format

Setting the Theme - Short Introduction to the Topic by Natasha Goyal

Speakers' comments, 15 minutes each, consecutive, no power points

Open Session (Moderated Q and A)

Followed by Tea

Directions to Venue

From JNU main gate, proceed straight until you get to a T-junction. Turn left. Continue until you reach a second T-junction. Turn right. Follow the road for just 0.7 km until you see a bus stop labelled “Paschimmabad.” About 50 m past the bus stop turn right at a sign that reads: “Centre for the Study of Law and Governance”. The CSLG building is on the right. The conference room is on the first floor.

Poster

CSLG Roundtable Discussion - Will the Magic Number Deliver? - April 26, 6 pm