- India as a nation is a largely socio-economic-based democracy is stating the obvious. Our constitution is based on the guaranteed rights in the form of articles, which have been known since the country gained independence. Of course, the political class, irrespective of ideologies/philosophies, are found to woo the electorate by indulging in freebies, incentives, and benefits of diverse nature. Thus, every worthwhile political party’s election manifesto always showcases attractive propositions for the most backward castes, women, unemployed youth, and others is a given fact. Yes, Indian politics is based on a labyrinthine caste conundrum and centers around the same is apparent. And we know how the politicians milk the castes to build vote banks.
PC: Shiksha
- The present dispensation at the Centre wants us to believe that the country is on the right track to be counted among the developed nations by 2047. We are an aspirational society aiming for bigger things in terms of growth, development, and opportunities at par with those in other countries. Having said this, the moot point to ponder over here is whether the authorities have ensured the provisioning of adequate infrastructural and logistical requirements in a desired manner. The answer must be an emphatic no, including the internet connections to ensure seamless and smooth online transactions of various welfare schemes aimed at the beneficiaries. Sadly, patchy connections let down India’s internet coverage big time.
PC: informalnewz
- Making government payouts dependent fully on e-KYC warrants a rethink. Indisputably, the adoption of tech has made governance smoother and more efficient. But direct cash transfers aren’t the magic bullet promised because the state has replaced a direct interface with beneficiaries with electronic KYC: identity markers on a computer screen. And the onus of ensuring these identity markers are updated on government portals is entirely on beneficiaries. Who, in turn, are dependent on the availability of the internet that remains inconsistent across rural India. Every e-KYC season, it’s a scramble to locate a steady internet connection with reasonable speed for a sufficient time. We read what happened recently in a Maharashtra village on the topic.
PC: Pew Research Center
- Out of 100 women attempting to update details to avail a women’s payout, just 5 received an OTP is not surprising. They walked 30 minutes to a point known to receive internet – a phone hung from a tree branch. It would be comical if people’s earnings and livelihoods weren’t held hostage to it. Given this reality, no secret to any branch of government, what is shocking is the state’s inflexibility, which made e-KYC mandatory without backup options. Dy CM of Maharashtra has said e-KYC is non-negotiable. Challenges with Aadhaar-linked verification are not of internet availability only. That poor internet coverage can stall beneficiaries from claiming their due highlight how tricky total surrender to tech can become. Flexibility should be in place. Thus, allowing physical verification should be considered as an option to disallow exclusion.
