The second fortnight of August is traditionally considered an ideal time for manuring fruit trees, with the "mogho paus" seen as favorable. During this period, people in Mapusa buy fertilizers and apply them to their trees. However, there is only one major fertilizer dealer in the area, leading to daily queues.
Surprisingly, this dealer collects personal information from customers purchasing 50 kgs or more of fertilizer, including their mobile number, Aadhaar Card number, and thumb impression on a biometric device. This information is stored on the dealer’s computer without informing customers why it is collected.
This practice raises concerns, as the Supreme Court has ruled that no private company can demand Aadhaar Card details or link them to mobile numbers. Collecting such sensitive information, especially biometrics, is risky and could lead to misuse or fraud. The Goa government should investigate whether this data collection is authorized and ensure safeguards are in place. If not, this practice should be stopped immediately.
