Much Ado About Rs.80/-

The move by Punjab Government to impose Rs.80 for downloading a FIR from its Sanjh Portal met with such a resistance that it had to be withdrawn no sooner than it was implemented. It was quite surprising that a small amount of Rs.80/- could have invited such an outrage from the social activists, Politicians and Advocates. State government tried to reason out by telling that this charge would not apply to the complainant and the accused. It further reasoned that free access was actually burdening the portal due to excessive downloads of FIRs and that too mostly by the third parties. However such was the brouhaha that the State Government had to backtrack.

The incident reminds me of something from the recent past when I visited the Aadhaar centre for updation of Aadhaar card. I was asked to pay Rs.75/- inclusive of GST. I was surprised and tried to know since when the government has been charging for updates in Aadhaar cards only get a blunt reply that its since long now, don't you know even this much.

The Aadhaar card has now been made mandatory by the Central Government virtually for every little thing you do in this country. Without an Aadhaar card one can't open a bank account, can't get sim card or LPG connection, can't get any government benefit, can't purchase car or property or get admission of children in schools. Earlier all these services/facilities were available to a common man without the Aadhaar card.

This levy of fee for updating Aadhaar Card affects and concerns every single citizen of this Country. The Central government is not only levying fee but also quietly collecting GST over it. Entire country is paying this charge without whisper. There is no protest or outrage anywhere.

Juxtapose this with Rs.80/- fee sought to be imposed by Punjab government which concerns only a negligible section of populace. It neither scuttles anybody's right to download a copy of FIR nor otherwise makes it conditional in any manner. Anybody can download a copy by paying Rs. 80. For that matter even an application under Right to Information Act carries a fee.

However the magnitude of protests and outrage against it is just incomprehensible. On the face of it appears to be a case of selective outrage. It could well be a political vendetta as Assembly elections are only months away. Or, may be, Punjabis are getting addicted to freebie culture promoted by AAP itself. Prompt withdrawal may also show a responsive government which AAP wants us to believe.

So it's anybody's guess. You can take your pick depending upon your nous and/or political affiliation.

Author is an Advocate practising at Punjab &Haryana High Court. Views are personal.