National
Working with Justice Srikrishna panel for robust data protection regime, UIDAI tells SC
New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that it was closely working with the Justice Srikrishna Committee for putting in place a robust data protection regime as it claimed that in last seven years there was no leak of biometric and demographic data at its end.
The UIDAI said this as five judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra asked there may not be leak of data at its end but can there be leak at the stage of authentication of biometric and demographic information while opening bank accounts or availing other services.
It told the bench that when Aadhaar is used for authentication, say for opening a bank account, the only thing that UIDAI knows that it has been used for authentication but for what purpose or details of it are not known to it.
Making a power presentation before the constitution bench also comprising Justice A.K. Sikri, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice Ashok Bhushan, UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey said that the software being used by the agencies enrolling people for Aadhaar or for authentication belongs to UIDAI and can’t be copied or stored on any other device.
Dispelling doubts about the misuse of data or security of the same, he said that they keep upgrading the technology and named some of the eminent people in the country who were advising and supervising the technical aspects of the whole Aadhaar operations.
Addressing a query from the bench as to why people can’t have Singapore type smart card on which all information about a person is stored, Pandey said that it would difficulties as any technological upgradation would involved replacing 1.20 billion smart cards and also they are prone to exposure.
As Pandey concluded his power presentation spread over two days, the petitioners gave him two sets of papers having 20 questions for clarifications.
The bench asked him to respond to these questions in writing by next date of hearing on April 3 and if the petitioners have any more clarifications to seek, they will ask for them on that date.
Referring to the details submitted by UIDAI that there was 12 per cent authentication failure resulting in loss of benefits to the intended beneficiaries, senior counsel K.V.Viswanathan said that total figures come to 14.4 crore people as 1.2 billion people are already under Aadhaar cover.
He urged the court thats it interim order saying that Aadhaar could not be insisted upon should also cover subsidies, benefits and services under Section 7 of The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.
The court order, as it stands, rules that for availing subsidies, benefits and services, a beneficiary has to produce his Aadhaar number.
The hearing will continue on April 3.
–IANS
pk/vd
National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.