The Centre for Internet and Society
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Press Release, March 15, 2016: The New Bill Makes Aadhaar Compulsory!
http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/press-release-aadhaar-15032016-the-new-bill-makes-aadhaar-compulsory
<b>We published and circulated the following press release on March 15, 2016, to highlight the fact that the Section 7 of the Aadhaar Bill, 2016 states that authentication of the person using her/his Aadhaar number can be made mandatory for the
purpose of disbursement of government subsidies, benefits, and services; and in case the person does not have an Aadhaar number, s/he will have to apply for Aadhaar enrolment. </b>
<p> </p>
<p>Nandan Nilekani, the former chairperson of the Unique Identification Authority of India had repeatedly stated that Aadhaar is not mandatory. However, in the last few years various agencies and departments of the government, both at the central and state level, had made it mandatory in order to be able to avail beneficiary schemes or for the arrangement of salary, provident fund disbursals, promotion, scholarship, opening bank account, marriages and property registrations. In August 2015, the Supreme Court passed an order mandating that the Aadhaar number shall
remain optional for welfare schemes, stating that no person should be denied any benefit for reason of not having an Aadhaar number, barring a few specified services.</p>
<p>The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, however, has not followed this mandate. Section 7 of the Bill states that “a person should be authenticated or give proof of the Aadhaar number to establish his/her identity” “as a condition for receiving subsidy, benefit or service”. Further, it reads, “In the case a person does not have an Aadhaar number, he/she should make an application for enrollment.” The language of the provision is very clear in making enrollment in Aadhaar mandatory, in order to be entitled for welfare services. Section 7 also says that “the person will be offered viable and alternate means of identification for receiving the subsidy, benefit or service. However, these unspecified alternate means will be made available in the event “an Aadhaar number is not assigned”. This language is vague and it is not clear whether it mandates alternate means of identification for those who choose not to apply for an Aadhaar number for any reason. The fact that it does make it mandatory to apply for an Aadhaar number for persons without it, may lead to the presumption that the alternate means are to be made available for those who may have applied for an Aadhaar number but it has not been assigned for any reason. It is also noteworthy that draft legislation is silent on what the “viable and
alternate means of identification” could be. There are a number of means of identification, which are recognised by the state, and a schedule with an inclusive list could have gone a long way in reducing the ambiguity in this provision.</p>
<p>Another aspect of Section 7 which is at odds with the Supreme Court order is that it allows making an Aadhaar number mandatory for “for receipt of a subsidy, benefit or service for which the expenditure is incurred” from the Consolidated Fund of India. The Supreme Court had been very specific in articulating that having an Aadhaar number could not be made compulsory except for “any purpose other than the PDS Scheme and in particular for the purpose of distribution of foodgrains, etc. and cooking fuel, such as kerosene” or for the purpose of the LPG scheme. The restriction in the Supreme Court order was with respect to the welfare schemes, however, instead of specifying the schemes, Section 7 specified the source of expenditure from which subsidies, benefits and services can be funded, making the scope much broader. Section 7, in effect, allows the Central Government to circumvent the Supreme Court
order if they choose to tie more subsidies, benefits and services to the Consolidated Fund of India.</p>
<p>These provisions run counter to the repeated claims of the government for the last six years that Aadhaar is not compulsory, nor is the specification by the Supreme Court for restricting use of Aadhaar to a few services only, reflected anywhere in the Bill. The “viable and alternate means” clause is too vague and inadequate to prevent denial of benefits to those without an Aadhaar number. The sum effect of these factors is to give the Central Government powers to make Aadhaar mandatory, for all practical purposes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/press-release-aadhaar-15032016-the-new-bill-makes-aadhaar-compulsory'>http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/press-release-aadhaar-15032016-the-new-bill-makes-aadhaar-compulsory</a>
</p>
No publisherAmber SinhaUIDBig DataPrivacyInternet GovernanceDigital IndiaAadhaarBiometrics2016-03-16T10:11:32ZBlog EntryPress Release, March 11, 2016: The Law cannot Fix what Technology has Broken!
http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/press-release-aadhaar-11032016-the-law-cannot-fix-what-technology-has-broken
<b>We published and circulated the following press release on March 11, 2016, as the Lok Sabha passed the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016. This Bill was proposed by finance minister, Mr. Arun Jaitley to give legislative backing to Aadhaar, being implemented by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).</b>
<p> </p>
<p>The Lok Sabha passed the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016 today. This Bill was proposed by finance minister, Mr. Arun Jaitley to give legislative backing to Aadhaar, being implemented by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).</p>
<p>The Bill was introduced as a money bill and there was no public consultation to evaluate the provisions therein even though there are very serious ramifications for the Right to Privacy and the Right to Association and Assembly. The Bill has made it compulsory for an individual to enrol under Aadhaar in order to receive any subsidy,
benefit or service from the Government. Biometric information that is required for the purpose of enrolment has been deemed "sensitive personal information" and restrictions have been imposed on use, disclosure and sharing of such information for purposes other than authentication, disclosure made pursuant to a court order or in the interest of national security. Here, the Bill has acknowledged the standards of protection of sensitive personal information established under Section 43A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The Bill has also laid down several penal provisions for acts that include impersonation at the time of enrolment, unauthorised access to the
Central Identities Data Repository, unauthorised use by requesting entity, noncompliance with intimation requirements, etc.</p>
<h3>Key Issues</h3>
<h4>1. Identification without Consent</h4>
<p>Before the Aadhaar project it was not possible for the Indian government to identify citizens without their consent. But once the government has created a national centralized biometric database it will be possible for the government to identify any citizen without their consent. Hi-resolution photography and videography make it trivial for governments and also any other actor to harvest biometrics remotely. In other words, the technology makes consent irrelevant. A German ministers fingerprints were captured by hackers as she spoke using hand gesture at at conference. In a similar manner the government can now identify us both as individuals and also as groups without requiring our cooperation. This has direct implications for the right to privacy as we will be under constant government surveillance in the future as CCTV camera resolutions improve and there will be chilling effects on the
right to free speech and the freedom of association. The only way to fix this is to change the technology configuration and architecture of the project. The law cannot be used as band-aid on really badly designed technology.</p>
<h4>2. Fallible Technology</h4>
<p>The technology used for collection and authentication as been said to be fallible. It is understood that the technology has been feasible for a population of 200 million. The Biometrics Standards Committee of UIDAI has acknowledged the lack of data on how a biometric authentication technology will scale up where the population is about 1.2 billion. Further, a report by 4G Identity Solutions estimates that while in any population, approximately 5% of the people have unreadable fingerprints, in India it could lead to a failure to enroll up to 15% of the population.</p>
<p>We know that the Aadhaar number has been issued to dogs, trees (with the Aadhaar letter containing the photo of a tree). There have been slip-ups in the Aadhaar card enrolment process, some cards have ended up with
pictures of an empty chair, a tree or a dog instead of the actual applicants. An RTI application has revealed that the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has identified more than 25,000 duplicate Aadhaar numbers in the country till August 2015.</p>
<p>At the stage of authentication, the accuracy of biometric identification depends on the chance of a false positive— the probability that the identifiers of two persons will match. For the current population of 1.2 billion the expected proportion of duplicates is 1/121, a ratio which is far too high. In a recent paper in EPW by Hans Mathews, a mathematician with CIS, shows that as per UIDAI's own statistics on failure rates, the programme would badly fail to uniquely identify individuals in India. <strong>[1]</strong></p>
<h3>Endnote</h3>
<p><strong>[1]</strong> See: <a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/epw-27-february-2016-hans-varghese-mathews-flaws-in-uidai-process">http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/epw-27-february-2016-hans-varghese-mathews-flaws-in-uidai-process</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/press-release-aadhaar-11032016-the-law-cannot-fix-what-technology-has-broken'>http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/press-release-aadhaar-11032016-the-law-cannot-fix-what-technology-has-broken</a>
</p>
No publisherJapreet Grewal and Sunil AbrahamUIDBig DataPrivacyInternet GovernanceDigital IndiaAadhaarBiometrics2016-03-16T10:10:40ZBlog EntryAn Urgent Need for the Right to Privacy
http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/an-urgent-need-for-the-right-to-privacy
<b>Along with a group of individuals and organisations from academia and civil society, we have drafted and are signatories to an open letter addressed to the Union government and urging the same to "urgently take steps to uphold the constitutional basis to the right to privacy and fulfil it’s constitutional and international obligations." Here we publish the text of the open letter. Please follow the link below to support it by joining the signatories.</b>
<p> </p>
<h4><a href="http://goo.gl/forms/hw4huFcc4b" target="_blank">Read and sign the open letter.</a></h4>
<p> </p>
<h2>Text of the Open Letter</h2>
<p>As our everyday lives are conducted increasingly through electronic communications the necessity for privacy protections has also increased. While several countries across the globe have recognised this by furthering the right to privacy of their citizens the Union Government has adopted a regressive attitude towards this core civil liberty. We urge the Union Government to take urgent measures to safeguard the right to privacy in India.</p>
<p>Our concerns are based on a continuing pattern of disregard for the right to privacy by several governments in the past. This trend has increased as can be plainly viewed from the following developments.</p>
<p>In 2015, the Attorney General in the case of *K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India*, argued before the Hon’ble Supreme Court that there is no right to privacy under the Constitution of India. The Hon'ble Court was persuaded to re-examine the basis of the right to privacy upsetting 45 years of judicial precedent. This has thrown the constitutional right to privacy in doubt and the several judgements that have been given under it. This includes the 1997 PUCL Telephone Tapping judgement as well. We urge the Union Government to take whatever steps are necessary and urge the Supreme Court to hold that a right to privacy exists under the Constitution of India.</p>
<p>Recently Mr. Arun Jaitley, Minister for Finance introduced the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016. This bill was passed on March 11, 2016 in the middle of budget discussion on a short notice as a money bill in the Lok Sabha when only 73 of 545 members were present. Its timing and introduction as a money bill prevents necessary scrutiny given the large privacy risks that arise under it. This version of the bill was never put up for public consultation and is being rushed through without adequate discussion. Even substantively it fails to give accountable privacy safeguards while making Aadhaar mandatory for availing any government subsidy, benefit, or service.</p>
<p>We urge the Union Government to urgently take steps to uphold the constitutional basis to the right to privacy and fulfil it’s constitutional and international obligations. We encourage the Government to have extensive public discussions on the Aadhaar Bill before notifying it. We further call upon them to constitute a drafting committee with members of civil society to draft a comprehensive statute as suggested by the Justice A.P. Shah Committee Report of 2012.</p>
<p>Signatories:</p>
<ul><li>Amber Sinha, the Centre for Internet and Society</li>
<li>Japreet Grewal, the Centre for Internet and Society</li>
<li>Joshita Pai, Centre for Communication Governance, National Law University</li>
<li>Raman Jit Singh Chima, Access Now</li>
<li>Sarvjeet Singh, Centre for Communication Governance, National Law University</li>
<li>Sumandro Chattapadhyay, the Centre for Internet and Society</li>
<li>Sunil Abraham, the Centre for Internet and Society</li>
<li>Vanya Rakesh, the Centre for Internet and Society</li></ul>
<p> </p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/an-urgent-need-for-the-right-to-privacy'>http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/an-urgent-need-for-the-right-to-privacy</a>
</p>
No publishersumandroUIDBig DataPrivacyInternet GovernanceDigital IndiaAadhaarBiometrics2016-03-17T07:40:12ZBlog EntryThe New Aadhaar Bill in Plain English
http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/the-new-aadhaar-bill-in-plain-english
<b>We have put together a plain English version of the The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016.
</b>
<h2 id="docs-internal-guid-4528559b-63ee-ea8a-5fc7-ff5b32b069f6" dir="ltr">The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016</h2>
<p> </p>
<p>Chapter I. PRELIMINARY</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 1</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">This Act is called Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">It will be applicable in whole of India (except the state of Jammu and Kashmir).</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">It will become applicable on a date to be notified by the Central Government.</p>
</li></ol>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 2</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“Aadhaar number” is the identification number issued to an individual under the Act;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“Aadhaar number holder” is the person who has been given an Aadhaar number;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“authentication” is the process of verifying the Aadhaar number, demographic information and biometric information of any person by the Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR);</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“authentication record” is the record of the authentication which will contain the identity of the requesting entity and the response of the CIDR;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“Authority” or “UIDAI” refers to the Unique Identification Authority of India established under this Act;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“benefit” means any relief or payment which may be notified by the Central Government;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“biometric information” means photograph, fingerprint, Iris scan, or any other biological attributes specified by regulations;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“Central Identities Data Repository” or “CIDR” means a centralised database containing all Aadhaar numbers, demographic information and biometric information and other related information;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the UIDAI;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“core biometric information” means fingerprint, Iris scan, or any biological attributes specified by regulations;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“demographic information” includes information relating to the name, date of birth, address and other relevant information as specified by regulations. This information will not include race, religion, caste, tribe, ethnicity, language, records of entitlement, income or medical history;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“enrolling agency” means an agency appointed by the UIDAI or a Registrar for collecting demographic and biometric information of individuals for issuing Aadhaar numbers;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“enrolment” means the process of collecting demographic and biometric information from individuals for the purpose of issuing Aadhaar numbers;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“identity information” in respect of an individual, includes his Aadhaar number, his biometric information and his demographic information;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“Member” includes the Chairperson and Member of the Authority appointed under section 12;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“notification” means a notification published in the Official Gazette and the expression “notified” with its cognate meanings and grammatical variations will be construed accordingly;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“prescribed” means prescribed by rules made by the Central Government under this Act;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“records of entitlement” means the records of benefits, subsidies or services provided to any individual under any government programme;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“Registrar” means any person authorized by the UIDAI to enroll individuals under the Act;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“regulations” means the regulations made by the UIDAI under this Act;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“requesting entity” means an agency that submits the Aadhaar number and other information of an individual to the CIDR for authentication;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“resident” means a person who has resided in India for atleast 182 days in the last twelve months before the date of application for enrolment;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“service” means any facility or assistance provided by the Central Government in any form;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">“subsidy” means any form of aid, support, grant, etc. in cash or kind as notified by the Central Government.</p>
</li></ol>
<p> </p>
<h5 dir="ltr">Chapter II. ENROLMENT</h5>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 3</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Every resident is entitled to get an Aadhaar number.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">At the time of enrollment, the enrolling agency will inform the individual of the following details—</p>
</li>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">how their information will be used;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">what type of entities the information will be shared with; and</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr"> that they have a right to see their information and also tell them how they can see their information.</p>
</li></ol>
<li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr"> After collecting and verifying the information given by the individuals, the UIDAI will issue an Aadhaar number to each individual.</p>
</li></ol>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 4</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Once an Aadhaar number has been issued to a person, it will not be re-assigned to any other person.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">An Aadhaar number will be a random number and will not contain any attributes or identity of the Aadhaar number holder.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">if adopted by a service provider, an Aadhaar number may be accepted as proof of identity of the person.</p>
</li></ol>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 5</p>
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI will take special measures to issue Aadhaar number to women, children, senior citizens, persons with disability, unskilled and unorganised workers, nomadic tribes or to such other persons who do not have any permanent residence and similar categories of individuals.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 6</p>
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI may require Aadhaar number holders to update their Aadhaar information, so that it remains accurate.</p>
<p> </p>
<h5 dir="ltr">Chapter III. AUTHENTICATION</h5>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 7</p>
<p dir="ltr">As a condition for receiving subsidy for which the expenditure is incurred from the Consolidated Fund of India, the Government may require that a person should be authenticated or give proof of the Aadhaar number to establish his/her identity. In the case a person does not have an Aadhaar number, he/she should make an application for enrolment. If an Aadhaar number is not assigned, the person will be offered viable and alternate means of identification for receiving the subsidy, benefit or service.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 8</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI will authenticate the Aadhaar information of people as per the conditions prescribed by the government and may also charge a fees for doing so.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Any requesting entity will— (a) take consent from the individual before collecting his/her Adhaar information; (b) use the information only for authentication with the CIDR;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The entity requesting authentication will also inform the individual of the following— (a) what type of information will be shared for authentication; (b) what will the information be used for; and (c) whether there is any alternative to submitting the Aadhaar information to the requesting entity.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI will respond to the authentication request with yes, no, or other appropriate response and share identity information about the Aadhaar number holder but not share any biometric information.</p>
</li></ol>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 9</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Aadhaar number or its authentication will not be a proof of citizenship or domicile.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 10</p>
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI may engage any number of entities to establish and maintain the CIDR and to perform any other functions specified by the regulations.</p>
<h5 dir="ltr"><br class="kix-line-break" />Chapter IV. UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION AUTHORITY OF INDIA</h5>
<p dir="ltr"><br class="kix-line-break" />Section 11</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr"> The UIDAI will be established by the Central Government to be responsible for the processes of enrolment and authentication of Aadhaar numbers.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI will be a body corporate with the power to buy and sell property, to enter into contracts and to sue or be sued.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The head office of the UIDAI will be in New Delhi.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI may establish its offices at other places in India.<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" /></p>
</li></ol>
<p dir="ltr">Section 12</p>
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI will have a Chairperson, two part-time Members and a chief executive officer, who to be appointed by the Central Government.<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 13</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Chairperson and Members will be competent people with at least 10 years experience and knowledge in technology, governance, law, development, economics, finance, management, public affairs or administration.<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 14</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The Chairperson and the Members will be appointed for 3 years and can be re-appointed after their term. But no Member or Chairperson will be more than 65 years of age.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The Chairperson and Members will take an oath of office and of secrecy.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The Chairperson or Member may— (a) resign from office, by giving an advance written notice of at least 30 days; or (b) be removed from his office because she/he gets disqualified on any of the grounds mentioned in section 15.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The salaries and allowances of the Members and Chairperson will be prescribed under the government. <br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" /></p>
</li></ol>
<p dir="ltr">Section 15</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The Central Government may remove a Chairperson or Member, who—<br class="kix-line-break" />(a) has gone bankrupt; <br class="kix-line-break" />(b) is physically or mentally unable to do his/her job;<br class="kix-line-break" />(c) has been convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude;<br class="kix-line-break" />(d) has a financial conflict of interest in performing his/her functions; or<br class="kix-line-break" />(e) has abused his/her position so that the government needs to remove him/her in public interest.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The Chairperson or a Member will be given a chance to present his/her side of the story before being removed, unless he/she is being removed on the grounds of bankruptcy or criminal conviction. <br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" /></p>
</li></ol>
<p dir="ltr">Section 16</p>
<p dir="ltr">An Ex-Chairperson or Ex-Member will have to take the approval of the Central Government,—</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">to accept any job in any entity (other than a government organization) which was associated with any work done for the UIDAI while that person was a Chairperson or Member, for a period of three years after ceasing to hold office;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">to act or advise any entity on any particular transaction for which that person had provided advice to the UIDAI while he/she was the Chairperson or a Member;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">to give advice to any person using information which was obtained as the Chairperson or a Member which is not available to the public in general; or</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">to accept any offer of employment or appointment as a director of any company with which he/she had direct and significant official dealings during his/her term of office, for a period of three years.<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" /></p>
</li></ol>
<p dir="ltr">Section 17</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Chairperson will preside over the meetings of the UIDAI and have the powers and perform the functions of the UIDAI.<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 18</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr"> The chief executive officer (CEO) of the UIDAI will not be below the rank of Additional Secretary to the Government of India.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The chief executive officer will be responsible for— (a) the day-to-day administration of the UIDAI; (b) implementing the programmes and decisions of the UIDAI; (c) making proposals for the UIDAI; (d) preparation of the accounts and budget of the UIDAI; and (e) performing any other functions prescribed in the regulations.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The CEO will annually submit the following things to the UIDAI for its approval — (a) a general report covering all the activities of the Authority in the previous year; (b) programmes of work; (c) the annual accounts for the previous year; and (d) the budget for the coming year.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The CEO will have administrative control over the officers and other employees of the Authority.</p>
</li></ol>
<p dir="ltr"><br class="kix-line-break" />Section 19</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr"> The time and place of the meetings of the UIDAI and the rules and procedures of those meetings will be prescribed by regulations.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The meetings will be presided by the Chairperson, and if they are absent, then the senior most Member of the UIDAI.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">All decisions at the meetings of the UIDAI will be taken by a majority vote. In case of a tie, the person presiding the meeting will have the casting vote.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">All decisions of the UIDAI will be signed by the Chairperson or any other Member or the Member-Secretary authorised by the UIDAI in this behalf.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">If any Member, who is a director of a company and because of this has any financial interest in matters coming up for consideration at a meeting, that member should disclose the financial interest and not take any further part in the discussions and decision on that matter.<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" /></p>
</li></ol>
<p dir="ltr">Section 20</p>
<p dir="ltr">No actions or proceeding of the UIDAI will become invalid merely because of—</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of, the UIDAI;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">any defect in the appointment of a person as Chairperson or Member of the Authority; or</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">any irregularity in the procedure of the Authority not affecting the merits of the case.</p>
</li></ol>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 21</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI, with the approval of the Government, can decide on the number and types of officers and employees that it would require.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The salaries and allowances of the employees, officer and chief executive officer will be prescribed under the government.<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" /></p>
</li></ol>
<p dir="ltr">Section 22.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Once the UIDAI is establishment—</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr"> all the assets and liabilities of the existing Unique Identification Authority of India, established by the Government of India through notification dated the 28th January, 2009, will stand transferred to the new UIDAI.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">all data and information collected during enrolment, all details of authentication performed, by the existing Unique Identification Authority of India will be deemed to have been done by the UIDAI. All debts, liabilities incurred and all contracts entered into by the Unique Identification Authority of India will be deemed to have been entered into by the UIDAI;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">all money due to the existing Unique Identification Authority of India will be deemed to be due to the UIDAI; and</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">all suits and other legal proceedings instituted by or against such Unique Identification Authority of India may be continued by or against the UIDAI.<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" /></p>
</li></ol>
<p dir="ltr">Section 23</p>
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI will develop the policy, procedure and systems for issuing Aadhaar numbers to individuals and perform their authentication. The powers and functions of the UIDAI include—</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">specifying the demographic information and biometric information required for enrolment and the processes for collection and verification of that information;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">collecting demographic information and biometric information from people seeking Aadhaar numbers;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">appointing of one or more entities to operate the CIDR;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">generating and assigning Aadhaar numbers to individuals;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">performing authentication of Aadhaar numbers;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">maintaining and updating the information of individuals in the CIDR;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">omitting and deactivating an Aadhaar number;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">specifying the manner of use of Aadhaar numbers for the purposes of providing or availing of various subsidies and other purposes for which Aadhaar numbers may be used;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">specifying the terms and conditions for appointment of Registrars, enrolling agencies and service providers and revocation of their appointments;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">establishing, operating and maintaining of the CIDR;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">sharing the information of Aadhaar number holders;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">calling for information and records, conducting inspections, inquiries and audit of the operations of the CIDR, Registrars, enrolling agencies and other agencies appointed under this Act;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">specifying processes relating to data management, security protocols and other technology safeguards under this Act;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">specifying the conditions/procedures for issuance of new Aadhaar number to existing Aadhaar number holder;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">levying and collecting the fees or authorising the Registrars, enrolling agencies or other service providers to collect fees for the services provided by them under this Act;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">appointing committees necessary to assist the Authority in discharge of its functions;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">promoting research and development for advancement in biometrics and related areas;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">making and specifying policies and practices for Registrars, enrolling agencies and other service providers;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">setting up facilitation centres and grievance redressal mechanisms;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">other powers and functions as prescribed.</p>
</li></ol>
<p dir="ltr">The Authority may,— (a) enter into agreements with various state governments and Union Territories for collecting, storing, securing or processing of information or delivery of Aadhaar numbers to individuals or performing authentication; (b) appoint Registrars, engage and authorize agencies to collect, store, secure, process information or do authentication or perform other functions under this Act. The Authority may engage consultants, advisors and other persons required for efficient discharge of its functions.<br class="kix-line-break" /><br class="kix-line-break" /></p>
<h5 dir="ltr">Chapter V. GRANTS, ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT AND ANNUAL REPORT</h5>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 24</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Central Government may grant money to the UIDAI as it may decide, upon due appropriation by Parliament.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 25</p>
<p dir="ltr">Fees/revenue collected by the UIDAI will be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 26</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI will prepare an annual statement of accounts in the format prescribed by Central Government</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The Comptroller and Auditor-General will audit the account of the UIDAI annually at intervals decided by him, at the UIDAI’s expense.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The Comptroller and Auditor-General or his appointees will have the same powers of audit they usually have to audit Government accounts.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI will forward the statement of accounts certified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General and the audit report, to the Central Government who will lay it before both houses of Parliament.</p>
</li></ol>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 27</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI will provide returns, statements and particulars as sought, to the Central Government, as and when required.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI will prepare an annual report containing the description of work for previous years, annual accounts of previous year, and the programmes of work for coming year.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The copy of the annual report will be laid before both houses of Parliament by the Central Government.</p>
</li></ol>
<p> </p>
<h5 dir="ltr">Chapter VI. PROTECTION OF INFORMATION</h5>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 28</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI will ensure the security and confidentiality of identity information and authentication records.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI will take measures to ensure that all information with the UIDAI, including CIDR records is secured and protected against access, use or disclosure and against destruction, loss or damage.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI will adopt and implement appropriate technical and organisational security measures, and ensure the same are imposed through agreements/arrangements with its agents, consultants, advisors or other persons.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Unless otherwise provided, the UIDAI or its agents will not reveal any information in the CIDR to anyone.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">An Aadhaar number holders may request UIDAI to provide access his information (excluding the core biometric information) as per the regulations specified.</p>
</li></ol>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 29</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The core biometric information collected will not be a) shared with anyone for any reason, and b) used for any purpose other generation of Aadhaar numbers and authentication.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Identity information, other than core biometric information, may be shared only as per this Act and regulations specified under it.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Identity information available with a requesting entity will not be used for any purpose other than what is specified to the individual, nor will it be shared further without the individual’s consent.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Aadhaar numbers or core biometric information will not be made public except as specified by regulations.</p>
</li></ol>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 30</p>
<p dir="ltr">All biometric information collected and stored in electronic form will be deemed to be “electronic record” and “sensitive personal data or information” under Information Technology Act, 2000 and its provisions and rules will apply to it in addition to this Act.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 31</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">If the demographic or biometric information about any Aadhaar number holder changes, is lost or is found to be incorrect, they may request the UIDAI to make changes to their record in the CIDR, as necessary.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The identity information in the CIDR will not be altered, except as provided in this Act.</p>
</li></ol>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 32</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI will maintain the authentication records in the manner and for as long as specified by regulations.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Every Aadhaar number holder may obtain his authentication record as specified by regulations.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI will not collect, keep or maintain any information about the purpose of authentication.</p>
</li></ol>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 33</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI may reveal identity information, authentication records or any information in the CIDR following a court order by a District Judge or higher. Any such order may only be made after UIDAI is allowed to appear in a hearing.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The confidentiality provisions in Sections 28 and 29 will not apply with respect to disclosure made in the interest of national security following directions by a Joint Secretary to the Government of India, or an officer of a higher rank, authorised for this purpose.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">An Oversight Committee comprising Cabinet Secretary, and Secretaries of two departments — Department of Legal Affairs and DeitY— will review every direction under 33 B above.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Any directions under 33 B above are valid for 3 months, after which they may be extended following a review by the Oversight Committee.</p>
</li></ol>
<p> </p>
<h5 dir="ltr">Chapter VII. OFFENCES AND PENALTIES</h5>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 34</p>
<p dir="ltr">Impersonating or attempting to impersonate another person by providing false demographic or biometric information will punishable by imprisonment of up to three years, and/or fine of up to ten thousand rupees.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 35</p>
<p dir="ltr">Changing or attempting to change any demographic or biometric information of an Aadhaar number holder by impersonating another person (or attempting to do so), with the intent of i) causing harm or mischief to an Aadhaar number holder, or ii) appropriating the identity of an Aadhaar number holder, is punishable with imprisonment up to three years and fine up to ten thousand rupees.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 36</p>
<p dir="ltr">Collection of identity information by one not authorised by this Act, by way of pretending otherwise, is punishable with imprisonment up to three years or a fine up to ten thousand rupees (in case of an individual), and fine up to one lakh rupees (in case of a company).</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 37</p>
<p dir="ltr">Intentional disclosure or dissemination of identity information, to any person not authorised under this Act, or in violation of any agreement entered into under this Act, will be punishable with imprisonment up to three years or a fine up to ten thousand rupees (in case of an individual), and fine up to one lakh rupees (in case of a company).</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 38</p>
<p dir="ltr">The following intentional acts, when not authorised by the UIDAI, will be punishable with imprisonment up to three years and a fine not less than ten lakh rupees:</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">accessing or securing access to the CIDR;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">downloading, copying or extracting any data from the CIDR;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">introducing or causing any virus or other contaminant into the CIDR;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">damaging or causing damage to the data in the CIDR;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">disrupting or causing disruption to access to CIDR;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">causing denial of access to an authorised to the CIDR;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">revealing information in breach of (D) in Section 28, or Section 29;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">destruction, deletion or alteration of any files in the CIDR;</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">stealing, destruction, concealment or alteration of any source code used by the UIDAI.</p>
</li></ol>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 39</p>
<p dir="ltr">Tampering of data in the CIDR or removable storage medium, with the intention to modify or discover information relating to Aadhaar number holder will be punishable with imprisonment up to three years and a fine up to ten thousand rupees.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 40</p>
<p dir="ltr">Use of identity information in violation of Section 8 (3) by a requesting entity will be punishable with imprisonment up to three years and/or a fine up to ten thousand rupees (in case of an individual), and fine up to one lakh rupees (in case of a company).</p>
<p dir="ltr"><br class="kix-line-break" />Section 41</p>
<p dir="ltr">Violation of Section 8 (3) or Section 3 (2) by a requesting entity or enrolling agency will be punishable with imprisonment up to one year and/or a fine up to ten thousand rupees (in case of an individual), and fine up to one lakh rupees (in case of a company).</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 42</p>
<p dir="ltr">Any offence against this Act or regulations made under it, for which no specific penalty is provided, will be punishable with be punishable with imprisonment up to one year and/or a fine up to twenty five thousand rupees (in case of an individual), and fine up to one lakh rupees (in case of a company).</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 43</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">In case of an offence under Act committed by a Company, all person in charge of and responsible for the conduct of the company will also be held to be guilty and liable for punishment unless they can prove lack of knowledge of the offense or that they had exercised all due diligence to prevent it.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">In case an offence is committed by a Company with the consent, connivance or neglect of a director, manager, secretary or other officer of a company, they will also be held guilty of the offence.</p>
</li></ol>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 44</p>
<p dir="ltr">This Act will also apply to offences committed outside of India by any person, irrespective of their nationality, if the offence involves any data in the CIDR.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 45</p>
<p dir="ltr">Offences under this Act will not be investigated by police officers below the rank of Inspector of Police.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 46</p>
<p dir="ltr">Penalties imposed under this Act will not prevent imposition of any other penalties or punishment under any other law in force.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 47</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Courts will take cognizance of offences under this Act only upon complaint being made by the UIDAI or any officer authorised by it.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">No court inferior to that of a Chief Metropolitan Magistrate or a Chief Judicial Magistrate will try any offence under this Act.</p>
</li></ol>
<p> </p>
<h5 dir="ltr">Chapter VIII. MISCELLANEOUS</h5>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 48</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Central Government has the power to supersede the UIDAI, through a notification, not for longer than six months, in the following circumstances: i) In case of circumstances beyond the control of the UIDAI, ii) The UIDAI has defaulted in complying with directions of the Central Government, affecting financial position of the UIDAI, iii) Public emergency</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Upon publication of notification, Chairperson and Members of the UIDAI must vacate the office</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Powers, functions and duties will be performed by person(s) authorised by the President.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Properties controlled and owned by UIDAI will vest in the Central Government.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Central Government will reconstitute the UIDAI upon expiration of supersession, with fresh appointment of Chairperson and Members.</p>
</li></ol>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 49</p>
<p dir="ltr">Chairperson, members, employees etc. are deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 50</p>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Central Government has the power to issue directions to the UIDAI on questions of policy (to be decided by the Government), except technical and administrative matters and the UIDAI will be bound by it.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI will be given an opportunity to express views before direction is given.</p>
</li></ol>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 51</p>
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI may delegate its powers and functions to a Member or officer of the UIDAI.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 52</p>
<p dir="ltr">No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings will lie against the Central Government, UIDAI, Chairperson, any Member, officer, or other employees of the UIDAI for an act done in good faith.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 53</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Central Government has the power to makes Rules for matters prescribed under this provision.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 54</p>
<p dir="ltr">UIDAI has the power to make regulations for matters prescribed under this provision.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 55</p>
<p dir="ltr">Rules and regulations under this Act will be laid before each House of Parliament for a total period of thirty days, both Houses must agree in making modification, and then the Rules will come into effect.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 56</p>
<p dir="ltr">Provisions of this Act are in addition to, and not in derogation of any other law currently in effect.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 57</p>
<p dir="ltr">This Act will not prevent use of Aadhaar number for other purposes under law by the State or other bodies.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 58</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" dir="ltr">The Central Government may pass an order to remove a difficulty in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, not beyond three years from the commencement of this Act.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Section 59</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;" dir="ltr">Action take by Central Government under the Resolution of the Government of India for setting up the UIDAI or by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology under the notification including the UIDAI under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology will be deemed to have been validly done or taken.</p>
<p> </p>
<h5 dir="ltr">STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS</h5>
<ol><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Correct identification of targeted beneficiaries for delivery of subsidies, services, frants, benefits, etc has become a challenge for the Government</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">This has proved to be a major hindrance for successful implementation of these programmes.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">In the absence of a credible system to authenticate identity of beneficiaries, it is difficult to ensure that the subsidies, benefits and services reach to intended beneficiaries.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The UIDAI was established to lay down policies and implement the Unique Identification Scheme of the Government, by which residents of India were to be provided unique identity number.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Upon successful authentication, this number would serve as proof of identity for identification of beneficiaries for transfer of benefits, subsidies, services and other purposes.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">With increased use of the Aadhaar number, steps to ensure security of such information need to be taken and offences pertaining to certain unlawful actions, created.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">It has been felt that the processes of enrolment, authentication, security, confidentiality and use of Aadhaar related information must be made statutory.</p>
</li><li style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;" dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016 seeks to provide for issuance of Aadhaar numbers to individuals on providing his demographic and biometric information to the UIDAI, requiring Aadhaar numbers for identifying an individual for delivery of benefits, subsidies, and services, authentication of the Aadhaar number, establishment of the UIDAI, maintenance and updating the information of individuals in the CIDR, state measures pertaining to security, privacy and confidentiality of information in possession or control of the UIDAI including information stored in the Central Identities Data Repository and identify offences and penalties for contravention of relevant statutory provisions.</p>
</li></ol>
<p> </p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/the-new-aadhaar-bill-in-plain-english'>http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/the-new-aadhaar-bill-in-plain-english</a>
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No publisherAmber Sinha, Vanya Rakesh and Vipul KharbandaUIDPrivacyInternet GovernanceAadhaarBiometrics2016-03-11T04:41:38ZBlog EntryThe Uncertain Future of India's Plan to Biometrically Identify Everyone
http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/tech-president-jessica-mckenzie-august-28-2014-the-uncertain-future-of-indias-plan-to-biometrically-identify-everyone
<b>Last Sunday an 11-year-old boy in Andhra Pradesh, a state in southeast India, hung himself from a ceiling fan as his family slept.</b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Jessica Mckenzie's <a class="external-link" href="http://techpresident.com/news/wegov/25250/the-uncertain-future-indias-plan-biometrically-identify-everyone">blog post was published in Techpresident</a> on August 28, 2014. Sunil Abraham gave his inputs.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify; ">He was allegedly driven to this act after being denied an Aadhaar card—formally known as Unique Identification (UID)—which he was told he needed to attend school. The card is one arm of India's sprawling scheme to collect the biometric data, including fingerprints and iris scans, of its 1.2 billion citizens and residents, and is quickly becoming practically, if not legally, mandatory, for nearly every aspect of life, from getting married to buying cooking gas to opening a bank account. More than <a href="http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/aadhaar-future-at-stake-govt-seeks-meeting-with-states/">630 million residents</a> have already enrolled and received their unique 12-digit identification number.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Since its <a href="http://singularityhub.com/2010/09/13/india-launches-universal-id-system-with-biometrics/">launch</a> in 2010, people have raised a number of questions and concerns about Aadhaar, citing its effects on privacy rights, potential security flaws, and failures in functionality. India's poor, who were supposed to be the biggest beneficiaries of the program, are actually most at risk of being excluded from UID, and there is no evidence that biometric identification has curtailed corruption. The newly-elected Prime Minister Narendra Modi <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn25593-indian-election-win-threatens-biggest-biometrics-bank.html">lambasted</a> the UID program as a candidate but in July did an about-face, <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Modi-govt-to-give-legal-backing-to-Aadhaar/articleshow/38336812.cms">calling</a> for the enrollment process to be expedited and supporting a UID-linked social assistance program. In all likelihood, the world's largest experiment in biometric identification will continue.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">There are still a number of unanswered questions about the future of the program. Although created in large part as a way of more efficiently and less corruptly dispersing government subsidies, last year the Supreme Court <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2588303/Supreme-Court-demolishes-Aadhaar-card-Judges-rule-card-NOT-mandatory-government-subsidies.html">ruled</a> that the Aadhaar card could not be made mandatory to receive government assistance. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) operates in a kind of <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/aadhaar-has-no-legal-standing-technical-experts/article5884009.ece">legal limbo</a>. Modi <a href="http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/cloud-still-hangs-over-aadhaar-s-future-114081401131_1.html">is said</a> to have instructed his Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to resolve these legal problems.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Sorting out the legal issues is imperative if UID numbers are <a href="http://profit.ndtv.com/news/industries/article-rbi-for-making-aadhaar-sole-platform-for-financial-inclusion-654514">going to be linked</a> to <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Modi-govt-faces-huge-challenge-in-giving-bank-accounts-to-all/articleshow/40990381.cms">Modi's proposed financial inclusion program</a> that aims to bring 75 million additional households into the country's banking system by 2018.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">There is also <a href="http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/uidai-npr-projects-likely-to-be-merged/">the possibility</a> that UID will be merged, absorbed or superseded by the National Population Register (NPR), yet another biometric identification system. The NPR, unlike Aadhaar, is mandatory for all residents. In addition to fingerprints and iris scans, NPR collects information on familial relationships, nationality, occupation and education level. There is a great deal of overlap between the two programs, which has been a source of conflict between government agencies in the past. The home ministry, for example, argues that government subsidies should be disbursed through NPR, not UID.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">There is also <a href="http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/cloud-still-hangs-over-aadhaar-s-future-114081401131_1.html">speculation</a> that UID could be picked up as part of Digital India, <a href="http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-08-25/news/53205445_1_digital-india-india-today-financial-services">Modi's ambitious plan</a> to modernize India by building national broadband infrastructure, ensuring universal mobile service access, creating e-government services, and <a href="http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/cloud-still-hangs-over-aadhaar-s-future-114081401131_1.html">establishing</a> a “cradle-to-grave digital identity for every citizen of the country—unique, lifelong, online and authenticable [<i>sic</i>].”</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">In spite of UID's tenuous position and uncertain future, it has become “essential” in nearly every facet of life. The Delhi government is rolling out <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Marriage-registrations-to-go-online-from-next-month/articleshow/40319783.cms">a suite of e-government services</a>, starting with marriage registration, that will require a UID. Fishermen in Gujarat <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Biometric-cards-must-for-fishermen-this-season/articleshow/39901977.cms">have been told</a> they cannot go out to sea without biometric identification.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Then there is Kora Balakrishna, the 11-year-old who committed suicide after being denied an Aadhaar card because he has webbed fingers. His school headmaster had instructed him to get one as a prerequisite for study and, per one news outlet, <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/fear-of-being-denied-midday-meal-drove-him-to-suicide/article6354316.ece">a mid-day meal</a>. An investigation into the incident <a href="http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Tribal-Kid-Denied-Admission-into-Welfare-Hostel-Ends-Life/2014/08/26/article2398922.ece">has been ordered</a>. Pravin Kumar, a local administrative official, said webbed fingers are not a legitimate reason for rejection from the program.</p>
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For more details visit <a href='http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/tech-president-jessica-mckenzie-august-28-2014-the-uncertain-future-of-indias-plan-to-biometrically-identify-everyone'>http://editors.cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/tech-president-jessica-mckenzie-august-28-2014-the-uncertain-future-of-indias-plan-to-biometrically-identify-everyone</a>
</p>
No publisherpraskrishnaBiometricsUIDInternet Governance2014-09-08T05:31:28ZNews Item