Mid-Day Opinion: Aadhaar enrolment must be accessible to every Indian

UIDAI officials at Devrath Shah’s home

Devrath Shah is not alone. The disabled 36-year-old from Girgaon, like millions of Indians, is unable to walk to an Aadhaar facilitation centre to enrol for what is easily one of the most important government documents in the country. His parents, Bela and Nayan Shah, had been running from pillar to post for years trying to get their bedridden son access to government services; facilities that can only be provided if you have an Aadhaar number and card.

It took a story by this newspaper and suo motu cognisance by the Bombay High Court to get the basic service of enrolment done for Devrath at his house. The doorstep service is commendable work by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), in charge of issuing the Aadhaar number.

That said, Devrath's case cannot be an exception. Millions of Indians who are disabled, old, or bedridden cannot be left out in the cold. Scores of public services, including education, ration, senior citizen services, banking, postal investments, and even tax filing, are dependent on that number. Clearly, and it cannot be emphasised enough, this is an all-important document. The State cannot expect everyone to present their Aadhaar to get access to public services while denying door-to-door enrolment for those confined to their house. Just as the Election Commission of India has found a way out of this predicament, so must the UIDAI. There needs to be both political and administrative will to get this executed.

Let the proactive action by mid-day, the Bombay HC and the District Legal Services Authority, and the UIDAI be a template for the rest of those who are unable to get their Aadhaar.