[Reader-list] MNIC: Parliament Questions - 27

[Taha Mehmood]

http://164.100.47.132/psearch/QResult13.aspx?qref=40363

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF  	HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED 	 QUESTION NO  	6206
ANSWERED ON   	07.05.2002
NATIONAL IDENTITY CARDS
6206 .	Shri ANANDRAO VITHOBA ADSUL
	
GADDE RAMAMOHAN
NARESH KUMAR PUGLIA
CHANDRA BHUSHAN SINGH
M.V.V.S MURTHI


(a) whether the Government propose to initiate the steps to revive the
proposal to issue multipurpose National Identity Cards to all citizens
as reported in the `Hindu` dated April 12, 2002;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith its objective;

(c) whether this proposal was earlier derailed following the
reservations expressed by some States:

(d) if so, the details of reservations expressed by the States last
time, State-wise;

(e) the steps taken by the Government to resolve the issue raised by
State Governments;

(f) the time by which the proposed cards are likely to be issued;

(g) whether the Government propose to link the National Identity Cards
within the Citizenship Act; and

(h) if so, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS ( SHRI CH. VIDYASAGAR RAO )


(a) to (h): A proposal to issue Multipurpose National Identity Cards
(MNICs) to Indian citizens, including the people residing in the
border areas of the country is receiving Government`s attention. These
cards, apart from providing a credible identification system, may have
multifarious uses.

The issue of MNICs would involve creation of an identification system
for more than one billion citizens, streamlining the existing
machinery for the registration of birth and deaths at the grass root
levels and choices of institutional as well as technological options
for the creation of an integrated data base of personal identities
capable of being continuously updated. The Government would finalize
its decision only after an in-depth examination of all relevant issues
and after making necessary preparations, including the legal backing
to the scheme.

Issuing National Identity Cards under the provisions of the
Citizenship Act, 1955 is one of the options available.

The issue of National Identity Cards was discussed and endured in the
conference of Chief Ministers on Internal Security held in 17th
November 2001.