VIJAYAWADA: Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan has once again cautioned Village and Ward Volunteers that if they collect personal data of citizens beyond the norms prescribed and resort to its misuse, they will be liable for punishment, as the centre is coming up with a legislation on Digital Personal Data Protection.
Addressing party leaders and women at Tadepalligudem on Thursday, he advised volunteers not to become a party to such work at the behest of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Maintaining that he has no issues with volunteers per se, Pawan Kalyan pointed out that if data falls into wrong hands, there will be serious repercussions. He charged that a criminal monarchy is ruling roost in the state and is using volunteers as its private army.
Reiterating his commitment to wage a legal fight against collecting personal data of citizens, the Jana Sena chief reminded that he would not be cowed down because his effigies are being burnt and his photographs are being garlanded with chappals.
He questioned volunteers for collecting personal data of people, including whether a woman is pregnant and to which party she would vote for. He alerted families with girls and women to be more careful while sharing personal information pertaining to Aadhaar, voter card, PAN Card, income certificate, caste certificate, property, details of family members, including their phone numbers, and their status, like lonely or widow.
Pawan Kalyan said nobody can deny welfare schemes to people on the pretext of not giving their personal data, as every eligible citizen is supposed to get a share in such schemes as a fundamental right.
He said his party would stand by Jana Sena activist Sai, who had been slapped by a woman inspector at Srikalahasti when he was staging a protest peacefully. He asked the inspector who had given her the authority to slap their activist.
Later in the day, the JS chief proceeded to Tanuku staging a road show and addressing party workers and people.
