Workers raised concern over facial recognition, eKYC procedures

Members of the Anganwadi Workers Union Punjab (CITU) on Saturday raised serious concerns over the challenges they face in implementing eKYC and Facial Recognition System (FRS) procedures.

In a joint press note released by the Anganwadi Workers Union Punjab (CITU), district President Nirlep Kaur, General Secretary Krishna Kumari, Finance Secretary Paramjit Kaur, Vice President Harjit Kaur and Joint Secretary Rajandeep stated that the Central Government’s mandate for eKYC of beneficiaries via the Poshan Tracker app, along with the requirement of double transparency and FRS, has led to continuous harassment of workers due to the department’s strict enforcement.

They said this has led to the loss of lives of many workers in different states, with the second reported death of an Anganwadi worker now confirmed in Punjab.

The workers further stated that they have not yet received the requisite benefits from the department. At present, they are only being provided a meagre Rs 166 per month towards mobile bills. They added that they are using their own mobile data to carry out departmental services.

Highlighting privacy concerns, workers said the FRS is based on public privacy and it should be the beneficiary’s choice whether or not to share their facial identity. They also pointed out a contradiction in the eKYC process, which is based on OTP. On one hand, the government prohibits OTP sharing, while on the other, workers are being forced to collect OTPs for eKYC.

The workers said the department’s attitude has claimed the life of another Anganwadi worker today and that many women workers are under severe mental stress, with some admitted to hospitals due to depression.

They demanded that such unnecessary conditions be withdrawn in the campaign to eradicate malnutrition and that the focus should instead be on ensuring maximum social benefits to combat hunger in the country.

They also stressed that Anganwadi workers should not be burdened with complex processes like eKYC and FRS. Instead, a simple and accessible method of identification should be adopted, and the scheme should be strengthened at the grassroots level to effectively eliminate malnutrition. Finally, the workers demanded immediate financial assistance and dependent benefits for the families of Anganwadi workers who have died in the line of duty.

Jalandhar