Aadhaar Holders Alert: What is Iris-based authentication and why is it being used in ration distribution? Can there be problem in Aadhaar verification after eye surgery or lens implant? What should the beneficiary do if the Iris scan does not match the Aadhaar record?
The government is constantly using new technologies to make the Public Distribution System (PDS) more transparent and convenient. In this direction, now the facility of verification through iris-based authentication i.e. identification of the iris has been started at the ration depots of many states and districts. Its purpose is to help those people who face repeated problems in fingerprint verification.
Why was Iris Scan facility introduced?
There are lakhs of elderly, daily wage laborers and hard working people in the country whose fingerprints become light with time or are not able to match with the machine. In such cases there is unnecessary delay in receiving ration. Iris scan technology is considered to be the solution to this problem, because the pattern of the iris is different for every person and makes the identification process easier.
Who may have problems?
However, there is also an important aspect associated with this new system. People who have undergone any major medical procedure related to eyes after making Aadhaar card, like lens implant or other special surgery, may face problems during iris authentication. In such cases, it is possible that the existing iris scan may not match the biometric information already entered in the Aadhaar database. As a result, the identity verification process may fail.
What to do to avoid the problem?
If there has been a major change in the biometric information related to a person’s eyes, he should get his Aadhaar records updated as soon as possible. After updating the biometrics at the Aadhaar center, the new information will be entered in the system and possible obstacles in iris authentication will be removed.
Lakhs of beneficiaries will get benefits
The new iris-based identification system has brought relief to those who were struggling with the problem of fingerprint mismatch for a long time. This is expected to make the ration distribution process faster, safer and transparent.
In order to continue availing the benefits of government facilities without any hindrance, citizens are being advised to update the information of their Aadhaar records on time after undergoing any major operation or medical procedure related to eyes. Due to this, there will be no problem in taking benefits of ration, pension or other government schemes in future.