4-year report finds many gaps in NDA’s poll promises

vA four-year report of NDA government was released by the Civil Society initiative at Somajiguda Press Club here on Friday. This is the 9th Report of a series starting in 2009 that seeks to evaluate the performance of the government vis a vis the election promises made and is prepared by capturing the voices and aspirations of people and inputs from experts.

The report reviews various electoral promises for all-round development, employment generation, improved health and education, strong economy, enabling environment and equal opportunities for marginalized communities, social justice and social harmony, protection of human rights, land rights and environment et al.

The report also reviews these very issues from the lens of the vulnerable populations and constitutional mandates. While much has been promised and popularised, the report finds many gaps and much more needs to be done. There are many disturbing trends of continued exploitation and marginalisation of these communities.

The review draws attention to the lack of political honesty manifested as India is trying out an ambitious programme for creating a cloud containing all the security related and welfare programme-oriented information in a biometric system. The onus of ensuring the relevance and security of the technology and its use lies with the government.

All good intentions of a biometric registration programme for ending corruption, enhancing efficiency, ensuring welfare measures can lead to greater exclusion of the vulnerable and exploitation of personal freedom and privacy.