MPCA demands govt to suspend aadhaar enrolment in NGH

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 20, 2020

A petition on Monday has demanded the district administration of North Garo Hills to suspend the Aadhaar enrolment in view of the prevailing situation due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The petition was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of North Garo Hills by Rev Kyrsoibor Pyrtuh, who is a member of the Meghalaya People’s Committee on Aadhaar (MPCA).

“I strongly urge you to kindly suspend the Aadhaar enrolment in the district…as the current pandemic situation does not permit citizens to gather in large numbers…,” Rev Pyrtuh said in the petition.

He said there is an unhealthy and disturbing picture coming from North Garo Hills District about people lining up for Aadhaar enrolment disregarding all health protocols during this period when the entire State is combating the rising covid19 pandemic.

He also reminded that long before the enactment of the Adhaar Act 2016, the people or citizens of Meghalaya have been in stiff opposition against Aadhaar and the people of Meghalaya under the banner of MPCA have also approached the highest Court of the country for redressal as per the rights guaranteed in the Constitution.

Stating that the situation is too grim and the society is in the brink, Rev Pyrtuh said, “It is imperative on the government not to burden the people and the citizens with identification and authentication system like Aadhaar.”

“Rather the Government should ease out by allowing people to use simple and alternate modes of identification like Epic Card, Ration Card, Certification by Village or clan head or School certificate or Baptist or birth certificates…,” he suggested.

According to him, the people of the state are citizens of the country and they cannot be denied and deprived of their basic rights and entitlements for want of Aadhaar.

“During this pandemic every person needs help and care. The same can be done compassionately by not pushing people through the rigorous system of identification and authentication,” he said.

Asserting that Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act is only an enabling provision, not a limiting one, he said, “In other words it is not only those who have enrolled in  the Aadhaar  scheme will be entitled to benefits, but in fact even those who have not enrolled are rightfully entitled and they cannot be denied and deprived of their rights.” He further maintained that reading through the Supreme Court judgement one can still validly argues that Aadhaar is voluntary.