[Reader-list] News Items posted on the net on Multipurpose National Identity Cards-102

[Taha Mehmood]

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Now-a-unique-identity-card-for-Indian-citizens/415638/

Now, a unique identity card for Indian citizens!
Agencies
Posted: Jan 27, 2009 at 1207 hrs IST

New Delhi Observing that illegal immigration into the country was
posing a serious threat to national security, a high-powered
government committee has strongly recommended a unique identity card
for citizens.

"....one way of dealing with this issue (of illegal immigration) is by
means of a citizen's identity number or card," the second
Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) report on promoting
e-governance has said.

The recommendation assumes significance amidst reports of a large
number of Bangladeshi immigrants and terrorists sneaking into the
country from across the borders.

The just released 186-page report pointed out that the Centre has
already implemented a pilot project for a 'Multi-purpose National
Identity Card (MNIC)' in select areas of 13 districts in 12 states and
one Union Territory.

One aim of the project is "to act as a deterrent for future illegal
immigration", it said.

Some of the districts covered under the project are Karimganj (Assam),
Kathua (Jammu and Kashmir), Kachchh (Gujarat), Jaisalmer (Rajasthan),
Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand), West Tripura (Tripura), Murshidabad (West
Bengal) and Ramanathapuram (Tamil Nadu).

"Thus this project has focused on select border areas of the country
with illegal immigration in mind," it said.

The report said the need for such a card has been considered necessary
"not only for security reasons, but also for delivery of services to
citizens and taking the development programmes to the target
population".