INQUIRY TEAMS CONSTITUTED IN ALL DISTRICTS, INVESTIGATIONS TO BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW, APPEAL TO CITIZENS NOT TO SHARE PERSONAL DATA WITH UNAUTHORISED PERSONS, CITIZENS APPEALED TO UTILIZE GOVERNMENT SUVIDHA CENTRES FOR AVAILING BENEFITS OF GOVERNMENT SCHEMES
Face2News/Chandigarh
The Punjab Police has formed several teams to investigate the camps which are allegedly collecting the personal information of individuals in the name of Government Schemes.
The inquiries have been instituted after receipt of complaints stating that personal data of citizens is being collected by unauthorized persons who are holding camps, making the personal data vulnerable to data thefts and bank frauds. It has also been reported that forms are being filled-up at these camps
The District Police Authorities have instructed the Inquiry Teams to join concerned persons in the inquiries, visit the alleged places of holding camps and conduct investigations in accordance with law.
A Punjab Police spokesperson has appealed to the citizens not to share their personal data, including Aadhar Cards etc. with unauthorized individuals and access the Government Schemes directly online or through authorized mechanisms.
(SUBHEAD)The spokesperson added that the Government Suvidha Centres are facilitating citizens wishing to enroll themselves in Government Schemes or download beneficiary Cards, available after authentication of identity of the applicant from the database.
Meanwhile Punjab Govt. said, the Government has received credible reports that certain private operators are illegally collecting personal data of local residents, allegedly on behalf of political parties.
Disclosing this here today an Official Spokesperson of the Government said that under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act), any collection or use of personal data without consent is a punishable offence. The local police has been directed to take strict penal action against those engaged in such unlawful activities.
It has also come to notice that several individuals who shared their data were later targeted in scams and banking frauds, including cases where phone numbers and OTPs were misused to siphon off money.
The Government therefore strongly urges the citizens not to share their personal information with unauthorized persons or agencies, as it may be misused at any stage. Citizens are advised to remain vigilant and immediately report any such illegal activity to the authorities.
