Nandan Nilekani - stay on the deck

I put this up first as a note on my Facebook account. Why not on this blog?

So here it is:

Within hours of the launch of the UID and assignment of IDs to ten tribals in Nandurbar of Maharashtra, a cacophony was heard on national news network - it would lead to profiliing, invasion of privacy et al.

To such of those who have fears, I say, please listen to this reasoned plea:

Of course, privacy invasion is a serious issue. People need to be protected from such breach. But here, the UID is a basic biometric ID more foolproof than the Know Your Client ( KYC) norms which the banks need. It tells everyone who needs to deal with him to deliver his entitlements that the person he says he is he is. That obviates possibilities of leakages.

For instance, foodgrains meant for the poor via the public distribution system (PDS) leaks into the private markets not because the poor foregoes his claim but is helpless when someone else robs him of his entitlement. Now, if the PDS card has his UID and the shop is linked to the system, no one except the ration card holder can draw the rations. If the ration is then not sold - because every sale would have to be recorded thus to a central computer, then the mischief stops.

If that is possible, then I am happy with the invasion of the poor's privacy and find out if the entitlement reached him.

Likewise, with NREG.

The poor can have bank accounts and the government can ensure payment by wire - no middle man, no cuts taken.

The fears of privacy are outweighed by the real gains of the poor who are deliberately robbed because they are the helpless without a voice.

Nandani Nilekani - go to it. Ignore the Cassandras.