[Reader-list] Universal ID: Going beyond smart cards & databases- 186

[Murali V]

First : It will be easy to identify a visitor but a visitor need not require
a UAID card. The most difficult part would be to identify a citizen as for
several years illegal immigrants have settled from the neighboring countries
and most probably have got a ration card, voter id etc.

Second : It will be difficult to envisage an integrated system 20-25years
hence. The ideal way would be to to identify the methodology for uniqueness,
methodology to first identify citizens alone (The rest of the category could
come in later), issuance of the card, which probably has to be completed in
about 2 years with integration to the existing IDs like PAN, Voter ID etc.
The implementation of the integration to other dept.s which till date do not
have their concept of identity database could be done in a phased manner
over about 5 years.

Third & Fourth : Issuance of duplicate would not be difficult if the ID is
based on BIO-metics as the person requesting would have to go in person and
the info from the database could be automatically picked and the necessary
hard copy of the ID could be regenarated. The type of Updates will have to
be prioritised and will have to implemented n a phased manner.

Fifth : The start point will have to be from the birth. This would provide
statistics for the CENSUS dept and also give indicators on the rate of
growth of population.
Sixth : Estabilishing Links with relationships will expand as the system
gets implemented across departments.

Regards,
V Murali


On Fri, Aug 7, 2009 at 12:29 PM, Taha Mehmood
<2tahamehmood at googlemail.com>wrote:

>
> http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Universal-ID-Going-beyond-smart-cards-databases/articleshow/4856509.cms
>
> Universal ID: Going beyond smart cards & databases
>
> 4 Aug 2009, 1635 hrs IST, S Sadagopan,
>
>
> The June 2009 announcement of the appointment of Nandan Nilekani,
> cofounder of Infosys, as the head of UIDAI (Universal ID Authority of
> India)
> Nandan
>
> What is missed out in the initial reactions is the larger issue
> involved. The government must be congratulated in correctly terming
> the office as “Universal ID Authority of India”. The terms “universal
> ID” “identification” and “authority” are very pertinent.
>
> In recent years, many government departments have independently
> started issuing IDs to citizens of India, primarily to suit their
> interaction with the citizens. The home ministry through passport to
> track their travel in and out of the country. The income-tax
> department through PAN (permanent account number) to track income and
> expenses for the purpose of taxation. The Election Commission through
> their voter identity card. There are also ration cards, BPL card for
> poor families, driving licence and gas connection certificate
>
> Common among all these experiments is the “limited purpose” of the
> intended use; no sharing of information among the agencies of the
> government. The UIDAI goes beyond “identity cards” to the very
> “identity” itself. It is important to evolve“architecture” of an
> identification system than the identity itself.
>
> First, being “universal” in nature it is best to have a system that
> can accommodate citizens, permanent residents and visitors, though the
> system might focus on citizens first.
>
> Second, it must be prospective in the sense that on the day when the
> system comes into force there is an enabling mechanism to put the
> system into action; in that sense it may be better to design a system
> that might start functioning 20 or 25 years from now, but with the
> guarantee that the eco-system to support such a system will be in
> place, rather than rushing through with one system or another.
>
> Third, it must have system to take care of normal accidents — users
> losing an identity proof, users changing their status — location, job,
> marital status, getting children, acquiring property, occupying
> special position such as member of the parliament, prime minister of
> the country, and even special cases — facing disability, liquidation,
> criminal proceedings, change of name or sex.
>
> Fourth, there must be a system of incorporating changes and
> re-issuance of identity proof that is easy, affordable and hassle-free
> , and yet making it rather difficult for end users with malicious
> purposes to do “identity theft” . Fifth, the identity system must have
> natural start and end points; for example, an identity system may
> start at the time of birth and accordingly it must be captured along
> with the birth of the child anywhere in the country; alternately, the
> identity proof issuance may happen at a specific age or at a specific
> stage — for example at the age of 18 — on acquiring the right to vote.
>
> Sixth, there must be a system that “links up” the identity, say of two
> individuals at the time of marriage, children’s identity getting
> linked to parents with a provision that such linkages may have to be
> re-established during special circumstances (divorce, adoption in case
> of children).
>
> Finally, the system must form the foundation for many identity proofs
> — passport, PAN, driving licence, voter identity card — and be able to
> keep the linkages intact and secure (ability to link all identity
> proofs, for example, all passports issued, all linked passports
> (spouse, children, parents), drivers licences issued at different
> places , voter identities issued.
>
> Ultimately, the identity system must address all possible end uses of
> identity proof, for example, access to social benefits — pension,
> social security, subsidies, if any, and, insurance; right to vote,
> right to drive, right to drink, right to acquire property, right to
> job, help government to track — taxes, travel out of country,
> movements in case of bail, and, help citizens in getting services —
> bank account
> , BPL card, senior citizens benefits, healthcare, education.
>
> (The author is director, IIIT Bangalore)
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