Preparation is an essential element of change, in the absence of which even positive measures can backfire. This is the lesson reiterated in the chaos created in Dehradun ever since authorities closed down Aadhaar enrolment centres in private premises without making adequate alternative arrangements.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) asked States to identify centres within Government premises for enrolment and update activities and shift enrolment operations to these new centres by August 31. Ironically, the CEO of UIDAI Ajay Bhushan Pandey had said that it would result in greater convenience for residents. But as of now the ill-prepared move has been carried out causing public frustration and anger in the interim State capital.
Only one centre has been set up in Dehradun at the municipal corporation office, and this too grossly under-equipped. The Pioneer’s ground survey of this centre found a situation of utter commotion and public disgruntlement as women and children lay on the bare floor of the hot and humid hall that was being used as the centre.
loud wails of crying infants and exasperated appeasement by their tired mothers, angry discussions among irate applicants against the move to close down private centres and sporadic arguments filled the premises. There were over a hundred people at the centre most of whom had been standing for over seven hours, as the centre did not have even a few chairs for the public.
“There are three computers but most of the times GPS does not work on one or two computers; at times none of the three computers gets GPS connectivity. Enrolment and update are happening at snail’s pace due to poor infrastructure making the waiting people very irate and justifiably so. There have been heated arguments here to the extent that the police had to be called to settle the matter,” informed enrolment operator Rehman. These personnel have also been having a tough time handling huge crowds of disgruntled people and dysfunctional equipment on a daily basis, they informed this correspondent.
“I am 75-years-old and I have been standing in queue for the last eight hours only to get my phone number corrected in my aadhar card. There is no provision of seating for even senior citizens or even drinking water. There are so many women who have been waiting here with their infants for more than seven hours. We are very frustrated. The Government owes us better services,” complained Jaman Singh echoing the common sentiment at the enrolment centre.
Now, since most Government and other services like PAN, GST, subsidies, bank accounts, passports and property registration require Aadhar mandatorily it has become necessary for State governments to provide convenient and safe centres for aadhar enrolment and update.