Srinagar : National Conference and PDP on Monday questioned proposed issuance of unique IDs to families across Jammu and Kashmir.
“Creating ‘a unique family ID’ for J&K residents is emblematic of the widening trust deficit especially post 2019. Kashmiris are viewed with deep suspicion,” PDP Chief and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said.
“This is another surveillance tactic to tighten the iron grip on their lives,” she said in a tweet.
Meanwhile National conference Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq said that there is already a web of government issued documents to people through which government agencies determine the identification and subsequent eligibility of beneficiaries for receiving various social welfare benefits and schemes.
He added, “Why is such an exercise needed in the first place? There is already enough data available with the government agencies in terms of Adhaar through which benefits like direct bank transfer (DBT) are reaching to end beneficiaries. It’s an utter wastage of resources, time and money. At a time, when the government’s attention should be focused on fixing the development deficit, administrative inertia and unemployment, it’s focussing on such non-issues.”
“Such proposed exercise should not be a priority of the government while as there are many basic issues which have not been attended to,” Tanvir said in a statement to GNS, adding, “Until and unless the administration does not explain the need for such an exercise when we have other ID’s for exactly the same purpose, the proposed measure would only create more suspicion. At present the government agencies, men and machinery should be attending the winter emergencies. Keeping the staff busy with data collection, and leaving people hanker for basic facilities makes no sense.” (GNS)
