[Reader-list] Nilekani to give numbers, ministries to issue cards-147

[Taha Mehmood]

Dear All

Here's what seems like a PR job?

To maybe not let the citizens know exactly the 'stimulus' to IT  is
being carried out?

First they create a rank, then they put a man, now the man isn't
suppose to do what he was supposed to do.


I wonder what is he doing there in the first place?


Why this UIDAI does not have a website to its name where all the
information related to it and all the official government views and
positions are systematically documented. Surely of the 1.5 Lakh crore
one can always keep some money to maintain a website. Maybe chip
manufacturing companies should design a web site for UIDAI as a good
will gesture.

Regards

Taha


http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Nilekani-to-give-numbers-ministries-to-issue-cards/articleshow/4782505.cms

Nilekani to give numbers, ministries to issue cards
16 Jul 2009, 0745 hrs IST, ET Bureau

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