NEW DELHI: The Cabinet yesterday gave its approval to the creation of a position — chairperson of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The chairperson would have the rank and status of a Cabinet minister, according to an official press release. The new position would serve “multiple objectives,” with “responsibilities to lay down plan and policies to implement the unique identification scheme.”
The move to set up UIDAI, under Planning Commission, aims to provide unique identity to targeted population of flagship schemes to ensure that benefits reach them, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.
The authority “shall own and operate the Unique Identification Number database and be responsible for its update and maintenance on an ongoing basis.” Nandan Nilekani, 54, invited by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, will take charge as its chairperson. Nilekani has quit the office he held, co-chairman of Infosys Technologies, to take over the new responsibility.
National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (education for all), National Rural Health Mission and Bharat Nirman (India’s development) are several flagship schemes listed in agenda of Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. The UIDAI scheme would ensure that lacuna in these schemes is removed and benefits reach the sections they are meant for.
Unique identification cards, under UIDAI program, would be provided to citizens by 2011. Initially, the cards will be given to all voters listed in the electoral roll data. “It will work in coordination with the National Population Register of the home ministry through the Registrar General of the census, in accordance with the Indian Citizenship Act,” the government said in a statement. “This would not only address security related issues but is also aimed at establishing citizenship, reducing identity related frauds and also prevent leakages in different government schemes,” it said.
Through this card, the citizens will be able to avail basic government services like driving licenses, passports and voter identity cards. Describing it as a “very superior card,” Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said: “This would really help all of us. We would start testing these on a pilot basis in a year.”
