UIDAI funds purchase of biometric enrollment devices for schools

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has earmarked Rs 2 billion (US$28 million) to support the purchase of biometric enrollment devices in sub-districts, or talukas, to have school children enrolled and updated in the Aadhaar system, The Times of India reports.

The UIDAI recently instructed schools not to deny admission to students without an Aadhaar number, and gave them responsibility for enrolling and updating the biometrics of students. To that end, each taluka will receive two enrollment devices, payed for by UIDAI.

“We have just approved the scheme and we will be able to provide this funding to all the state governments,” UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey told Indian press agency PTI. “This it to ensure that no child is denied (the) right to education on account of not having Aadhaar.”

The Time of India reports that some schools have insisted on Aadhaar numbers to admit students.
The taluka’s will implement the project under the supervision of district administration, Pandey said. Devices will be sent around to different schools, which the UIDAI expects to organize two enrollment events per year.

The Aadhaar program has been dogged by delays and regular allegations of data breaches and abuse, and could soon be limited or scrapped by a high court ruling.

Article Topics

Aadhaar  |  biometrics  |  children  |  data collection  |  India