MPCA demands West Jaintia Hils admin to suspend aadhaar enrolment

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 30, 2020

Rev Kyrsoibor Pyrtuh, a member of the Meghalaya Peoples Committee on Aadhaar (MPCA), has demanded the district administration of West Jaintia Hills to suspend the Aadhaar enrolment due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“I strongly urge you to kindly suspend the Aadhaar enrolment in the district on the ground that the current pandemic situation does not permit us citizens to gather in large numbers in public and private spaces…,” Rev Pyrtuh said in a letter to the Deputy Comissioner of West Jaintia Hills.

This also came as a reaction to local reports that people have to lined up for 2 to 3  nights to get Aadhaar enrolment in the district. 

Referring to a photograph on the incident,  Pyrtuh said the picture is evident that all health and safety protocols are thrown in the air.

Stating that the situation is too grim and the society is in the brink, the MPCA member 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.

Rev Pyrtuh further stated that 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.

“That 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.That Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act is only an enabling provision, not a limiting one. 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. That reading through the Supreme Court judgement one clearly understands that Aadhaar is voluntary,” he added.