Not so unique

Unique Identification Authority of India Chairman Nandan Nilekani was espousing the cause of technology, such as his Unique ID number which had biometric details of users, at a conference of food secretaries from various state governments. Nilekani spoke of how technology could help reduce leakages in the public distribution system and ensure access to all those entitled to use it. A representative from Maharashtra, however, didn’t quite agree and got up to say he had been running a scheme in the state wherein people bought foodgrains amounting to their three months’ requirement in one go. “I have been running this scheme for quite some time now and that too successfully without the use of technology,” he said.