Sir,

I would like to give my suggestion to the Aadhaar linking problem of D. Venkateshaiah (Star of Mysore dated Dec. 29). Biometric readers do have a variety of problems including cleanliness of the glass, the users health and lastly the Internet speed in case of access to databases is needed.

People engaged in physical work have often cuts and bruises and recognition of finger impression is difficult. When one has to get his own pension or cash withdrawal by biometric withdrawal, he or she may conclude after some frustration that it is the government’s intention to delay. That is why they take all 10 finger prints and it is good enough even if one matches. The biometric identification is programmed to go ahead after 80% matching of data takes place.  Despite all this there are problems.

Even in case of restricted data, like in daily attendance at office, the biometric reader does not recognise the individual and one has to re-enroll himself. There is a similar provision of re-enrollment in Aadhaar database and one has to wait for the enrollment cycle to complete like in  a fresh case. One does not have to feel bad although frustrated if unrecognised.

Fortunately, for SIM card matters at BSNL and similar matters, there is a provision to give an old copy of Aadhaar backed up with some form and a photo declaring that the Aadhaar number belongs to the individual. One can use this facility.

– S. S. Rao, Mysuru, 1.1.2018