Risk of data tampering in Assam’s NRC updation process: CAG report
The CAG has flagged the risk of manipulation of NRC data.
GUWAHATI- The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has found huge discrepancies in the process of updating the Assam National Register of Citizens (NRC). The CAG has flagged the risk of manipulation of NRC data.
The CAG on Saturday presented a report for the year ending 2020 on the last day of the winter session of the Assam Legislative Assembly. The report states that 215 software utilities were linked to the core software in an irregular manner.
Also Read- 53 ‘jihadis’ Arrested in Assam So Far : CM
There was a need to develop a highly secure and reliable software for updating the NRC, but lack of proper planning in this regard was revealed during the audit.
The updated NRC was released on August 31, 2019, which included a total of 3,11,21,004 names out of 3,30,27,661 applicants. However, it is yet to be notified.
Also Read- NF Railway to operate joy ride toy train services during Christmas
The CAG in its report said that haphazard development of software for data capture and correction has created a risk of data tampering without an audit trail. The audit trail could have ensured accountability for the veracity of the NRC data. Thus the objective of preparing a valid error free NRC has not been achieved yet.
The report further said, the project cost for NRC has increased from Rs 288.18 crore to Rs 1602.66 crore.
