Unique Identification Number to India's citizens

[indiatech]

NEW DELHI: The National Authority for Unique Identity, headed by Nandan Nilekani, will aim at providing a unique number to all Indians, but not smart cards.

It’s another matter that various ministries may, for their various purposes, choose to issue biometric cards using this unique number. But the Nilekani team itself will focus simply on ways to give all citizens a unique number, and let others issue cards for purposes they think fit.

The unique ID number will not substitute other existing numbers a person may have (PAN, passport number, ration card number). Rather, it will be an additional, unique number to be cited along with existing numbers for different purposes. This will help weed out duplicate and ghost cards that are widespread today (notably in BPL ration cards), and, may be, benami bank accounts and property deeds.

Instead of issuing cards, the Nilekani team will make available a unique ID database to all ministries and other partners, who can then integrate their databases (covering passports, ration cards, job cards, PAN cards) with the unique ID database. Some may issue biometric cards integrating the unique number with other existing numbers. The home ministry may issue a biometric card for weeding out illegal immigrants, and the rural development ministry may want a biometric card for transferring cash to the poor.

A card issuer can be a facilitator and not a direct participant in transactions. For instance, a Visa credit card links consumers, retailers and banks, but Visa itself is just a card issuer collecting a percentage on sales, not a seller of goods or a banker. The Visa card simply facilitates retail and banking transactions.

Participation in credit cards is entirely voluntary. This will also be the case with the unique ID scheme. Citizens will not be obliged to get a number. But those that don’t will find it very inconvenient: they will not have access to facilities that require you to cite your ID number.

 

[indiatech]

It seems at this point if UID cards are issued based on who is having a Ration card which seems like one of the possibilities, it will be a big mistake.

It is still not clear who Nilekani will issue UIDs and how will he identify illigal immigrants .

If congress again creates something like an IMDT act to legalize foreigners, it will be the next nightmare.

The Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) (IMDT) Act - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Gabbar]

Microsoft wants to be part of UID project: Gates

NEW DELHI: Software major Microsoft on Friday expressed keenness to be part of the government of India's project of providing a unique identity
number to the citizens of the country, saying it is a "great initiative".

Microsoft wants to be part of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) project, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said here at a joint event with Nasscom.

Gates will meet UIDAI Chairman Nandan Nilekani to take the possible association further. On his sixth visit to India, the billionaire businessman complimented the government on the project, saying "it's a great initiative".

The project of the government aims to provide a Unique Identification Number to over a billion people of India.

Gates said that banking and healthcare are two areas that can benefit from this project.

Gates, in India to receive the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development on behalf of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, supported free exchange of talent between countries. "There should not be any restriction in the flow of ideas," he said, talking about immigration policies.

When Nasscom president Som Mittal referred to US President Barack Obama's statement that his government would create more jobs in Buffalo than in Bangalore, the software architect said, "Fortunately it (job market) is not a zero-sum market."

"I can't predict anything. Immigration policy (of the US) might actually get more strict. It would be great mistake," said Gates, who has been frequently at the top on the world's richest list.

"US Congress is very tough on immigration in general. That's unfortunate. What about making an exception for a few smart people," Gates said.

On competition with rival Google, he said it is "fun competition".

Software giant Microsoft has recently launched its own search engine -- Bing -- to take on the rival Google but at the same time he complimented them saying "Google has done great work".

Gates said, "When you are a distant two, you have to try harder ... Who knows, we can make it better and faster than anybody else."

Talking about technology, he said, "I am not a 24-hour technology person ... I am not always on computers and I read a lot."

On social networking, he said that he is impressed with young people who can talk and chat with five persons at a time.

Earlier, speaking on the fifth anniversary of Microsoft Research India, Gates said, "There is a shortage of homegrown PHDs in India."

He further added that Microsoft Research India has an important role to play and help the country to increase the number of PHDs.

Gates said technology holds the key to India's healthcare and education challenges.

 

[EjazR]

National identity cards by 2010-11: Chidambaram

The proposed unique multi-purpose national identity cards would be issued to all citizens by 2010-2011, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said here on Monday.

In the first phase this year, 1.2 crore people in about 3,331 coastal villages and cities would receive the cards, he told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

The card will be given to 110 crore people by 2010-2011.

Government has set up a Unique Identification Authority of India to implement the project aimed at obviating the need for multiple proofs of identity for citizens while availing any government service or for personal needs like opening bank accounts or seeking telephone connections.

National identity cards by 2010-11: Chidambaram

 

[warlock21]

it is already launched in Karnatka...as a pilot project.

 

[indiatech]

Any news , what would be the criteria to identify a legal citizen from the illegal ones ?

How are they doing it in Karnataka in the pilot project?

I hope they are not doing it only on the basis of voter ID and Ration cards. Implications of the same might lead to an ethnic war in some parts of the country for sure.