GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Ministry of Planning

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2419
ANSWERED ON FEBRUARY 13, 2014

 QUESTION
Irregularities in Making Aadhaar Card

2419. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASHEKHAR:

 Will the PRIME MINSTER be pleased to state;

(a)   the total quantum of tax-payer/public funds that have been spent on the UIDAI Aadhaar projects thus far;

(b)   whether there have been cases of irregularities in the Aadhaar Card enrolment process, and whether these cards are being allotted without verifying the citizenship of the applicant;

 (c)    whether any of the agencies to whom contracts were given for collection of biometric and other data and making Aadhaar Cards, have been found to be involved in the irregularities;

(d)   if so, details of the FIRs registered and action taken against the guilty in these cases; and

 (e)   the criteria for empanelment of agencies to give contracts for this purpose?

 ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS & PLANNING
(SHRI RAJEEV SHUKLA)

(a): As on 31^st December 2013, a total expenditure of Rs. 3,813.17 crore has been incurred on the Aadhaar project.

 (b) to (d): The mandate of UIDAI is to generate and assign unique identity number (Aadhaar) to residents of the country. The definition of "resident" is based on the definition of 'population register' as provided in Rule 2 of the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Card) Rules 2003. Aadhaar is merely an identity infrastructure, and the Aadhaar letter clearly states that it is only a proof of identity and not that of citizenship.

 For enrolment of residents, UIDAI functions through a number of Registrars (such as State Governments, Ministries/Departments of Government of India, Public Sector Banks etc.) who in turn utilize the services of Enrolment Agencies (EAs) selected through open, transparent manner. Functioning of EAs is monitored closely, and action is taken against EAs for any deviation from terms and conditions of their engagement. Such action by the Registrars may involve financial penalties, suspension of their activities or prosecution, depending on the type and severity of deviation. So far enrolment activities of about 10 EAs have been suspended by the Registrars.

 (e): The details of eligibility criteria for empanelment, along with terms and conditions of such empanelment and a list of empanelled Enrolment Agencies is available on the official website of UIDAI (http://uidai.gov.in/aadhaar-enrolments.html)