[Reader-list] News Items posted on the net on Multipurpose National Identity Cards-44

[Taha Mehmood]

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=11&section=0&article=109860&d=17&m=5&y=2008

Arab News <http://www.arabnews.com/>

The Middle East's Leading English Language Daily

Tuesday 13 May 2008 (07 Jumada al-Ula 1429)

*Identity Cards Finally Issued*

*India's Central Government announced that smart cards have finally been
issued to citizens aged 18 years and above in the Multipurpose National
Identity Card (MNIC) pilot project. The pilot project covers about 30
million citizens in twelve States and one Union Territory — Andhra Pradesh,
Assam, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Tripura, Uttar
Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Pudducherry. The
production and distribution of the identity cards in the pilot project was
to be completed by July, 2007, but due to sourcing and technical problems
the project wasn't completed until March 2008. The MNIC project hopes to
complement the provision of a unique National Identity Number (NIN) to each
person in the National Population Register (NPR). At least Rs. 44.360
million was spent on the pilot project and a decision is yet to be made on
the implementation of the scheme nationwide.*

*However, one ID that will be issued nationwide is a new electronic press
accreditation card from the Press Information Bureau (PIB). This card will
replace the older PIB Press Card and be valid for two years, unlike the old
cards which were renewed annually. The electronic card has security features
including the electronic signatures of PIB and Home Ministry officials and
is tamper proof. The card will be color coded in four categories — yellow
for correspondents, pink for cameramen, white for technicians and blue for
editors.*