Learning that one could get the Unique Identification Number at one of the 35 post offices in the city, many Bangaloreans descended on post offices early on Monday. But for many, a long wait would yield nothing.
Learning that one could get the Unique Identification Number at one of the 35 post offices in the city, many Bangaloreans descended on post offices early on Monday. But for many, a long wait would yield nothing.
No point getting to PO
At the HAL II Stage post office, applicants had travelled all the way from KR Puram, Kaggadasapura, Sarjapur Road or Whitefield, but were informed that there were no forms. “I took time off work. I now return empty handed,” said a tired and disappointed Kumar Raj, resident of KR Puram.
Photocopied forms okay?
Some enterprising souls came to the rescue, and provided photocopied forms. In a matter of seconds, even the photocopies were all gone. A photocopier two streets away did brisk business on Monday, selling colour copies for Rs10. “There are people making money out of the photocopies. We were told later than black-and-white forms would do, and that copying even one side would be all right,” one applicant said.
Confusing signage
As the day progressed, supervisors decided to discontinue distributing and accepting photocopies.
“People who have photocopied forms will have to tear them and take the forms that we are distributing. We have given out about 70 copies today,” said Mohan Kumar A, supervisor at the GPO. By noon, a notice had gone up, saying that the centre had run out of forms for the UID. Bang alongside it, stood the old notice claiming that forms were available here.
One day form, another submission
At the GPO, 40 forms were accepted on Monday. “Today we are enrolling applicants who collected the form on Saturday. We have given tokens to 40 of the 70 people who took forms,” Kumar said.
Poor planning
And what happens if those who have taken tokens for Tuesday fail to show up? “We will allow two days’ time. If they don’t come even after that, the tokens will not be valid,” he explained.
Just one counter
The problem does not end with either the shortage of the forms or the confusion over the photocopies. At each centre, there was just one counter to handle all queries related to UID. “This is already my third visit. I managed to get the form and fill it. Now, they are not accepting it. Appointments are available only for the next day,” said K Parthasarathy.
Long wait
Zehana S, who had come to get a UID along with her mother and six-month-old baby, said. “There should be separate queues for senior citizens and women.” She said that she had been waiting since 8 am. “Our token number is 11. It’s almost noon, we have been waiting,” she said.
Dalwai’s take
Ashok Dalwai, deputy director general of the UIDAI, says, “Don’t stress.” His mantra: “Give it a month or so. There will be more centres, more counters. There will not be any need to wait in queues. The India Post centres will become more efficient as the staff gain experience, and the state will have other centres too.” And as for photocopied forms, they are being discouraged only so that the scope for making profits from them is reduced.
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