Voter ID, Biometrics For Panchayat Benefits? Lalan Singh's Proposal Sparks Political Row

The political battle over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has taken a new turn. Union Panchayati Raj Minister Lalan Singh has announced a proposed shift in beneficiary identification for Panchayat welfare schemes, with EPIC numbers and biometric authentication set to play a role instead of Aadhaar being the primary basis. The Opposition has questioned the move, linking it to concerns over voter-list deletions and the possible exclusion of people from welfare benefits. With the Election Commission defending the SIR exercise and Congress alleging mass disenfranchisement, the proposed voter ID requirement has added another flashpoint to the ongoing political confrontation.