[Reader-list] National Identity Cards for All (BJP Manifesto)

[Taha Mehmood]

Dear All,

It was quite surprising to see BJP bringing out its election manifesto 
after 11 long years and not so surprising perhaps to find National 
Identity Cards figure prominently in this party document.The BJP is 
forwarding a welfarist argument while articulating about a unified 
national identity card. We must remember that political parties in India 
do not usually fulfill all their poll promises but it would certainly be 
interesting to see which way the debate will turn in so far as the 
national identity card is concerned.

I have pasted a chunk from the manifesto which refer to NID.

Regards

Taha

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/full-text-bjp-manifesto-for-general-elections-2009/89404-37-single.html

//*National Identity Cards for All*//

//The BJP will launch an innovative programme to establish a countrywide 
system of multi-purpose national identity cards so as to ensure national 
security, correct welfare delivery, accurate tax collection, financial 
inclusion and voter registration. Voter identity cards, PAN cards, 
passports, ration cards and BPL cards are already in use though not all 
with photo identity. The NDA proposes to make it incumbent for every 
Indian to have a National Identity Card. The programme will be completed 
in three years. The National Identity Card will contain enough memory 
and processing capabilities to run multiple applications. Through it the 
NDA will ensure efficient welfare delivery and tax collection. The card 
will also be linked to a bank account. All welfare payments, including 
widow and old age pensions, through the wide range of schemes such as 
Mother and Child support/ Kisan Credit, Students Assistance and 
Micro-Credit will be channelised through the National Identity Card. The 
card will make it possible for individuals to save and borrow money; for 
farmers to get bank credit, also establish accurate land titles data. 
The National Identity Card will also strengthen national security by 
ensuring accurate citizen identity, thus tracking illegal immigration. 
All financial transactions, purchase of property and access to public 
services will be possible only on the basis of the National Identity 
Card which will be made forgery and hacking resistant.//