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UID / "Aadhaar" for Survey of India Maps - Ignorance or Design?
A news item in ‘The Hindu’ quotes the minister for Science, Shri Harsh Vardhan as saying, “The "Aadhaar" is to ensure that only Indians are able to access this portal”.
The link to the news is pasted below.
Is the Honorable Minister not aware that "Aadhaar" is for ALL residents in India and not for Indians (I assume he refers to Indian citizens)?
Or has he made the statement deliberately?
If so, what could be the rationale?
If Google maps of India are regularly used by many people, what is the minister trying to achieve by manking access to Government Survey of India maps accessible to Indian citizens.
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"Secure - 'Aadhaar"! - Can't Steal Things Given
Nilekani says, "Show me even on example of data theft. Aadhaar is very, very secure" - Quoted from 'Times of India', Sunday, 02 Apr 2017 Page 18 "All that Matters"
He is right. After all, one can't accuse of anyone of stealing when you give away something that is not even yours!
UIDAI, is giving "unique" (so it claims) IDs to us. Then, (Nilekani - tongue in cheek, says, "It is voluntary, but service providers may ask for it") you are forced to give it to anyone who asks for it - Schools, ration shops, railway ticket counters, airport entry gates, even IPL ticket sales counters.
Why would anyone steall what is so freely given?
It is like air - everywhere!
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Demonetization- The Sensible and Senseless Way
What was the necessity for the secrecy and suddenness of the demonetization?
Would it have been better to have announced it well in advance, prepare banks and ATMs to avoid the chaos now seen everywhere?
The latter would certainly be far better if the objective were to flush out black money.
By announcing in advance and giving sufficient time the black money-holder would become complacent.
She / he would deposit her / his black money. One could watch large volume and frequent transactions to zero in on those with black money.
What then is the purpose of the secrecy, the suddenness and the speech by the PM.
Is there any other explanation other than to derive political mileage from the hype surrounding the move and to show the PM as one fighting black money?
Unfortunately, this is a boomerang that will come back to hurt the charlatan-advisers to the PM who are misleading him (perhaps?).
Instead of all this hullaballoo, why do not the black money crusaders just look at what is happening right under their noses?
Please follow the link below for news on this.
http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/cover-story/Janardhana-Reddy-and-his-Money-ki-baat/articleshow/55359742.cms
 | Janardhana Reddy and his Money ki baat - Bangalore Mirror Even as the average Bengalurean ran from pillar to post on Thursday for exchanging notes and small change, former minister G Janardhana Reddy was busy recreating the Vijayanagara empire at Bangalore Palace for his daughter’s wedding; spread over five days, it will set him back by `500 crore (conservative estimate). Feeling small already? |
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India in “Good Company” on Demonetisation
We are in “Good Company” on demonetisation. Nine countries demonetized currencies for various reasons.
We are following Pakistan in this too, just as we did in UID / "Aadhaar"!
The countries that demonetized are Soviet Union, just before its collapse, Zaire, Ghana, Nigeria, North Korea, Myanmar, Zimbabwe, Australia, USA, under Nixon in 1969, and Pakistan.
Australia switched over to plastic notes (NOT cards) and coins. Interestingly, Australia printed the old notes in millions and sold these as collector’s items. There was no panic. Sufficient time was given for the change.
Pakistan also did better than us. It decided on 4 Jun 2015 to demonetize, but allowed time until 1 Dec 2016 for this. Again no panic or disruption.
North Korea, Ghana, Nigeria, Myanmar, Zimbabwe and Zaire not exactly examples to emulate.
Nixon too is rather poor choice as one’s ideal.
For those who would like to check on the above here are two links, one an article in the “Economic Times” and the other ‘The Express Tribune’ of Pakistan.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/905509/new-design-demonetisation-of-old-banknotes/
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New design: Demonetisation of old banknotes - The Express Tribune
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Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum of Black Money
As far as black money goes the two major parties are like the “Alice in Wonderland” characters, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. One cannot distinguish between them.
The present president promised to take action against those holding black money accounts abroad. So did the present prime minister.
Chidambaram as finance minister, came up with the “brilliant” idea of taxing withdrawals from savings accounts. He backed out due to public opposition.
Then came the Delhi High Court order holding both BJP and Congress guilty of FCRA violation in receiving donations from foreign companies.
Instead of taking the rap, the present government has amended the FCRA to treat these companies as Indian and justifying it (can you believe this?) as boosting CSR spending!
Now come the current bolt from the blue, ostensibly to curb black money.
Just as UID / "Aadhaar" is justified as meant to help the poor receive their dues, demonetization too is justified as needed to flush out black money.
Both solutions are arrived at without any thinking at all.
Here are links to new on FCRA
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