Info Malang Raya Its All About World News
Review of UIDAI’s Operations by the Public Accounts Committee
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament recently convened to evaluate the functioning of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), based on the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Report of 2021. The committee engaged with the audit team and received oral evidence from officials of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the UIDAI.
During the meeting, the PAC Chairman and Congress MP KC Venugopal emphasized that Aadhaar-related issues have a direct impact on the common people, particularly those concerning biometric verification. He assured the panel would conduct a thorough examination of these matters.
Venugopal highlighted the significance of the issue, stating, “This is a common man’s issue. There are many issues, like biometric verification. So many questions have been raised. We will definitely look into the details.”
Mandatory Biometric Update for Children
On Tuesday, the UIDAI reiterated the importance of completing the Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) for children who have reached the age of seven but have not yet updated their biometrics in their Aadhaar records. This requirement is part of the existing guidelines under the Aadhaar system.
Parents or guardians can update their child’s biometric information at any Aadhaar Seva Kendra or designated Aadhaar center. For children under the age of five, the enrollment process involves providing a photograph, name, date of birth, gender, address, and documents as proof. However, fingerprints and iris biometrics are not captured for children below the age of five, as these features are not fully developed at that stage.
According to existing rules, when a child turns five, they are required to update their biometric information, including fingerprints, iris scans, and a photo. This is known as the first Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU). If the MBU is completed between the ages of five and seven, it is free of charge. However, after the age of seven, a fee of Rs 100 is applicable.
Importance of Timely MBU Completion
Timely completion of the MBU is essential to ensure the accuracy and reliability of children’s biometric data. Failure to complete the MBU by the time the individual reaches seven years of age may result in the deactivation of their Aadhaar number, as per current regulations.
An updated Aadhaar with accurate biometric information facilitates ease of living and ensures seamless usage of Aadhaar for accessing various services. These include school admissions, registration for entrance examinations, and eligibility for scholarships and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes.
Parents and guardians are strongly advised to prioritize updating the biometric information of their children or wards in the Aadhaar system. The UIDAI has initiated a campaign to notify eligible parents through SMS messages sent to mobile numbers registered in the Aadhaar of such children. This initiative aims to encourage timely compliance with the MBU requirements.
