[Reader-list] News Items posted on the net on Multipurpose National Identity Cards-20

[Taha Mehmood]

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http://pib.nic.in/archieve/lreleng/lyr2003/rmar2003/20032003/r200320036.html

PIB Press Release

SUN MICROSYSTEM'S CHIEF CALLS ON SHRI ARUN SHOURIE*
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*20th March, 2003*

The Department of Information Technology and multi-billion US IT Company,
Sun Microsystems have agreed to enhance their cooperation. The field of
cooperation includes E-Governance and Networking. The American Company has
offered to donate $300 million worth of free software to non-profit Indian
institutions. This emerged following the Chief Executive Officer of Sun
Microsystems, Mr. Scott McNealy calling on the Information Technology,
Communications and Disinvestment Minister, Mr. Arun Shourie, here today.

Shri Shourie said that the US multi-national IT company which has the
largest directories in the world on multi-purpose Identity Cards offered to
share know-how with Indian Government in the preparation of these cards. The
preparation of such cards is already on in some of the States who have
pursued their programme separately. To have a single standardised system of
one authentication, the company has agreed to cooperate.

The two sides also agreed to cooperate on the project of devising a small
Personal Computer. The American MNC will work with Indian IT companies and
this PC would provide access to net services. This will be affordable to
common man.