IT dept cracks whip on UID firm

The state’s directorate of information technology, the agency spearheading the unique identification (UID) card programme, on Monday issued directives to the civic body to inspect all UID centres to keep a check on irregularities.

The state’s directorate of information technology, the agency spearheading the unique identification (UID) card programme, on Monday issued directives to the civic body to inspect all UID centres to keep a check on irregularities.

HT Image

A surprise inspection by IT officials at a centre in Fort on Friday revealed violations that could jeopardise the security of the information stored.

The officials found that the IT company Tera Software had violated the norms and sub-contracted the enrolment process to another firm, M/S Infotech.

“Sub-contracting of enrolment s could endanger the security of the entire process. It would be more dangerous as the details of millions of citizens are stored in one machine,” said an official said on condition of anonymity,

“We were shocked to know that the assigned agency had outsourced the enrolment work. According to the contract, agencies are allowed to sub-contract only manpower after getting prior approval from the government,” said Dr Santosh Bhogale, under secretary, general administration department, IT.

When contacted, AB Pandey, deputy director general, Unique Identification Authority of India (western region), confirmed the violation. He said, “Sub-contracting is definitely not allowed, especially enrolment work cannot be sub-let to other agencies.”

“We have not sub-contracted UID enrolment s anywhere in Maharashtra. According to the contract for hiring manpower, we do not need to give any intimation to state government or local authority,” said Umamaheshwara Rao, project manager, Tera Software (UIDAI) said.