UID authority faces manpower crunch

Like any other government organisation, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is facing manpower crunch. Vacancies in eight of its regional offices have not been filled since they became functional in November 2009.

Although UIDAI had planned to have at least 35 people working in each of its eight centres – Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Ranchi and Guwahati –  on an average, there are only three or four people each working in these units.

"We are not able to find educated people for our eight regional centres. Just like other government agencies, we too are facing a manpower crunch and vacancies are unfilled," said a senior official of the authority.

In the Delhi office, the headquarters of UIDAI, one post for a deputy director general has been vacant since last year. Moreover, the headquarters have a headcount of 50 as against the sanctioned 88 posts. Similarly, the Bangalore office has six people, while Chandigarh has three. There are 12 people in the authority's Hyderabad, office with two each in Lucknow, Ranchi and Mumbai.

"The Department of Personnel and Training is hiring and we have requested them to look into the matter. There have been improvements every month. But most regional offices have only three or four people against the 30-35 required," said another official.

The UIDAI has three grades of staff — government employees, volunteers and project management units. The staff shortage is being seen in the first category.

Other than having 80 government officials, the authority has 20 project management units and 16 volunteers, besides another 14 sabbatical resources.

The official in the authority said because of strict deadlines and lesser benefits compared with other government departments, state government employees are not willing to join.

"Both risk and accountability is more here and the problems of accommodation add to their woes. Even though the project is huge, we might face problems in implementing it because of this issue," the official added.