Not exactly correct, the problem is much worse, actually. If you read below, DDG UIDAI Mr Dalwai actually says that objections to Windows are Kerala-specific, implying that nowhere else in India is non-Windows OS in use.
I believe that he needs to be firmly corrected, the decision to prefer FOSS in government-centric implementations is at the national level. The fact that Kerala is the most progressive of states in this matter at this time is incidental. There is absolutely no excuse for UIDAI to blatantly promote the use of Windows software as it has in its training manuals and on its website. As a matter of fact, it is also highly insecure, with enormous scope for registrars and other vested interests to copy unencrypted files of personal information gathered from the enrollees, but that is a separate issue. imho, Kerala should be supported to lead a nationwide satyagraha against the implementation of the project until it follows national policy in this regard. The use of Windows on computers is neither necessary nor optimal. The registrars should also refuse to use such computers, but this is unlikely to happen unless they are Kerala based agencies. On Tue, Nov 2, 2010 at 3:15 PM, Jibu Jacob <[email protected]> wrote: > Terming such a decision to promote Proprietary software as 'Kerala > specific' is to belittle the hidden agenda. We may seek information > regarding the developer, action taken sofar in this connection etc through > Right to Information so that a transparent and vibrant platform comes in > place. > > jibu > > On 2 November 2010 10:07, Krittika <[email protected]> wrote: > >> >> http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/02/stories/2010110252270900.htm >> >> >> * Aadhaar software locked in with ‘Windows' * Deepa Kurup >> >> BANGALORE: In its technology statement, Aadhaar, the massive Government of >> India project that seeks to enrol citizens, puts on record its commitment to >> using open technological standards. However, the government of Kerala — the >> only State that mandates the use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in >> governance — recently found that the client enrolment software used is only >> compatible with Windows, the proprietary operating system owned by >> Microsoft. >> >> The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) mandates that all >> ‘middleware' used in Aaadhaar must be vendor neutral. However, by using >> software that is only Windows-compliant, UID applications have already >> established a clear vendor lock-in. In Kerala, which has embraced open >> platforms, this is a vexatious issue because Virtual Device Managers – that >> provide an interface for applications to devices such as biometric devices – >> are not Linux-compatible. >> >> Speaking to The Hindu, Ashok Dalwai, Deputy Director-General, UIDAI, said >> this is a “Kerala-specific issue.” He confirmed that all enrolment software >> is “purely for the Windows platform.” “For now, we have asked Kerala to go >> ahead with laptops with Windows. Our developers will work towards Linux >> compliance later.” >> >> However, public agencies implementing Aadhaar in Kerala find this >> unacceptable because it violates the State's FOSS policy. Kerala is slated >> to implement the project in November. The three enrolment agencies — >> i...@schools, Keltron and the Akshaya project are all government agencies — >> use only Linux operating systems. Prior to the first training session >> conducted in Bangalore mid-October, the agencies wrote to the UIDAI regional >> office in Bangalore pointing out difficulties in complying with a >> Windows-only regime. >> >> “It is highly embarrassing and disappointing to see that proprietary >> applications are necessary, at least to start with,” says Anvar Sadath, >> executive director, i...@schools. He emphasises that this is not a debate >> that pits Kerala versus UIDAI. “It has larger implications for a ‘knowledge >> society.' Can we imagine a situation where we revert to proprietary vendors >> to provide necessary upgradation/support to the data repository of over one >> billion people?” he asks. Besides, FOSS operating systems/applications offer >> huge cost-advantages, thereby saving precious public money (by using FOSS, >> i...@schools alone saves up to Rs. 11 crore per year). Mr. Sadath insists >> that vendors be forced to develop/manage the necessary plug-ins or drivers >> for Linux support. >> >> “This must be included in all tenders floated by the agency.” >> >> FOSS activists find the proposal to “migrate to Linux later” unacceptable. >> Says Prabir Purkayastha of the Delhi Science Forum: “This is doubly >> problematic as it would drive an organisation [in Kerala] which is on an >> open platform to a closed platform, harming their own work. It also violates >> the UIDAI's declared policy.” >> >> He believes that in the hurry to politically show results, UIDAI should >> not land up on closed platforms at the cost of policy and long-term goals. >> >> -- >> Krittika Vishwanathwww.itforchange.net >> Bridging Development Realities and Technological Possibilities >> Tel:9535321980 >> Read our Teacher's Communities of Learning project's blogs, lesson plans and >> discussions here: http://bangalore.karnatakaeducation.org.in/ >> >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> network mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://lists.fosscom.in/listinfo.cgi/network-fosscom.in >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > network mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.fosscom.in/listinfo.cgi/network-fosscom.in > > -- Vickram Fool On The Hill <http://communicall.wordpress.com>
_______________________________________________ network mailing list [email protected] http://lists.fosscom.in/listinfo.cgi/network-fosscom.in
