Chaos over Adhar distribution

KOCHI: The Unique Identity Card (UID) project which was included in the Chief Minister's ‘100 day programme’ stands thwarted as confusion  prevails over its distribution. There are many divisions in the city where the councillors have not got any intimation from the authorities. Confusion adds as there are many sections who are still unaware of the Unique Identity card.K R Premakumar, councillor, Perumpadappu said that they did not get any intimation from the authorities. “There was a workshop on Adhar card a month back. That was it. Though they conducted a workshop, they could not enroll the names as the computers were not working,” he said. Shyamala S Prabhu, another councillor from Cheralai also had the same story to tell. “When an enrollment camp was organised in Ernakulam, I could not attend it as I had some personal engagements. When I informed the concerned authorities on it, they told me that they would start registration formalities by the first week of September. But so far we have not received any information,” she said. She added that till date, West Kochi have not received any communication regarding the registration process of the Adhar card. Kalyanakrishnan, District Project coordinator, Keltron refuted this statement. “We haven't specified any time frame to the representatives of Cheralai.” Elamakkara Division is yet to get the enrollment form. M Anilkumar, Councillor, Elamakkara said that there was no follow up regarding the Adhar registration form. “It is the responsibility of the government to speed up the process. The authorities have to end the confusion that still prevails over the distribution of the Adhar card,” he said. Anil Kumar also added that the authorities concerned have  failed to enroll  even the councilors.  Though the project of the distribution of Adhar card was started with much fan fare, major section of the society are still unaware of the twelve digit Identity card. When asked about the Adhar card, Mini Sudhakaran, a resident of Pottakuzhy said, “I have not heard about this card before.” “I want to enroll for the Adhar card. But no information was available,” M K Kesavan, another resident of Mattancherry said.