[Reader-list] Nilekani gets cracking from Day 1 in office- 162

[Taha Mehmood]

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Economy/Nilekani-gets-cracking-from-Day-1/articleshow/4813445.cms

Nilekani gets cracking from Day 1 in office
24 Jul 2009, 1030 hrs IST, ET Bureau


NEW DELHI: The government will issue identity numbers instead of cards
to Indian residents under its unique identification (UID) programme,


“This unique identity number will soon eliminate the need for existing
identification cards for opening bank and post office accounts or
taking electricity connections,” Mr Nilekani said while taking charge
as the first chairman of UIDAI.

The identification number, which will primarily help to “authenticate”
an individual in the country, will be issued to Indian residents on
voluntary basis. Any Indian can get the number by showing a residence
proof. This can be used for government and private use, Mr Nilekani
said.

He said the immediate task of the authority was to put its office in
order. The UIDAI chief also introduced Ram Sevak Sharma as the
secretary and chief executive officer of the organisation who will
assist him in rolling out the programme across the country in phases.

The newly set up organisation is looking for talent. “We will look for
people both from the government and the private sector. We need people
in biometrics and advanced technologies to meet the best global
standards,” Mr Nilekani said.

“It will take a few weeks to get the team together and examine the
strategy to issue the UID numbers. The design of the project will be
based on biometric identification to authenticate the identity of the
person,” he said.

As announced by Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee in his budget
speech, the first set of database for the project will be ready within
12-18 months.

Mr Nilekani recently met communications and information technology
minister A Raja and Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh
Ahluwalia to discuss the blueprint of the project.

The UID project plans to create unique identification numbers for all
Indians by 2011. Currently, India does not have any standard
identification card or number to authenticate an individual’s
identity.