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Software disqualifies millions of poor from govt handout scheme
23 Sept 06:18 Key points summarised by AI
- A government Covid-19 subsidy scheme designed for informal workers has disqualified millions, sparking widespread public outcry over its AI-based screening process.
- Numerous eligible applicants reported being wrongly rejected, misidentified as "students" or "farmers," highlighting critical flaws in the system's ability to accurately assess eligibility.
- Officials defended the AI, clarifying it validates eligibility against existing state databases, suggesting that incomplete or outdated information within these records, such as prior registration within farming families, leads to rejections.
- Out of 7.99 million applicants screened, a significant 4.8 million were disqualified, prompting strong criticism from politicians who urged broader assistance and a re-evaluation of the aid criteria.
- Disqualified applicants will be granted an appeal process starting April 19, offering a chance to challenge their rejections and address concerns about the stringent screening.
