Perpetual Aadhaar Alignment Problem (PAAP)
Perpetual Aadhaar Alignment Problem (PAAP) and how inconsistencies in Aadhaar details create long-term issues for individuals in India. Key points from the article include:
Identity Document Mismatch: Most people in India have multiple identity documents like Aadhaar, ration cards, PAN cards, bank passbooks, etc. Government departments are increasingly insisting on consistent demographic details across these documents.
Problems with Aadhaar Corrections:
- Aadhaar corrections are becoming harder due to restricted correction options by UIDAI.
- A minor correction can require long and costly visits to Aadhaar Seva Kendras, along with documents many do not possess.
- Fixing one discrepancy can create another in a different document (e.g., changing Aadhaar to match a bank passbook might misalign it with a PAN card).
Challenges for Children and Schools:
- Aadhaar is practically compulsory for schoolchildren, and a new APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) number is also required.
- Teachers are burdened with ensuring Aadhaar details match school records, leading to excessive bureaucratic work.
Cultural and Linguistic Issues:
- Spelling variations due to cultural differences (e.g., Sarita Oraon being recorded as Sarita Devi in Aadhaar).
- Discrepancies in names, dates of birth, and addresses due to operators' errors, further complicating the alignment process.
"PAAP" as an Endless Loop:
- Once Aadhaar is used as the "final word" for identity verification, people face a never-ending cycle of corrections.
- Since Aadhaar name corrections are allowed only twice, after that, all other documents must be changed to align with it, which is often impossible.
Solution?:
- Aadhaar details should be treated as indicative, not authoritative for identity verification.
- Banks and government departments should allow minor variations in names instead of rigidly enforcing Aadhaar-based standardization.
The article warns that treating Aadhaar as the absolute proof of identity is a recipe for disaster, especially for marginalized communities who struggle with documentation discrepancies.
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