It is reported that Nandan Nilekani has resigned as Chairman of the
Unique Identification Authority of India(UIDAI) today, 13 March 2014, in order to contest in the ensuing General election from Bangalore.

The UIDAI and Aadhaar has been pointed out as one of the biggest achievement and credit of the UPA government. Thousands of crores of rupees have been spent on it. So far only 9 million cards have been issued as per the statement of Nilekani and the balance are yet to be issued. It is still incomplete. The chairman is leaving it half-done. There is no information, who will be the next Chairman, how the work will be completed etc. etc.

There has been strong opposition to the scheme itself from many corners, including political parties. Why there should be two schemes, one the census and voter cards and secondly this Aadhaar Cards? It has also been alleged that this has got CIA connection.The UPA government has not been able to give any convincing reply.

Now it has become clear that the UPA government was not serious and it was only a publicity stunt. Otherwise, why it should allow the task unfinished and the Chairman whisked away for contesting in election?

What will happen if another party/parties come in to power? Most probably the entire scheme may be cancelled. Thousands of crores of rupees gone waste for somebody’s ‘great idea’.