Plans for a new family ID in Jammu and Kashmir cause confusion and irritation among residents, while rights campaigners fear the program could lead to increased surveillance and data hacks.
SRINAGAR, India – University student Mehak is used to frequent identification checks by security forces and officials in the northern Indian city of Srinagar, and always carries two forms of ID. Soon, she may need to carry yet another in her purse.
It means families will not have to apply for benefits under various schemes, as eligibility decisions will be automated based on the data, said Prerna Puri, a commissioner in Kashmir’s information technology department. Kashmir residents are right to be wary of the government’s motives, said Angad Singh Khalsa, an independent human rights campaigner, as they have been singled out before for greater surveillance on the grounds of national security.
In anticipation of protests after the move, the authorities imposed a curfew, cut the internet for long periods, and tightened security. India introduced Aadhaar in 2009 to streamline welfare payments and reduce wastage in public spending. Since then, it has become mandatory for everything from accessing SIM cards to filing taxes to accessing welfare benefits.
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