In what will curtail frauds related to the identity of a person and enhance national security, the government is working on a plan to issue unique identification number to every Indian citizen by 2011. The project is to be implemented by the National Authority for Unique Identity, which will be a part of Planning Commission.
?By 2011, we should be able to develop a system through which anyone wanting a unique identity number could get it. This will help authorities in easily identifying the citizens of the country,? Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said at the launch of global credit card by Punjab National Bank recently.
The authority would work in close cooperation with the home ministry, which would provide the population data via Registrar General of the Census concurrent to 2011 census. The similar model would be followed at state level.
The proposal to set up the authority was approved by the empowered group of ministers, headed by the external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee, in November 2008. For long, national identity cards have been advocated to enhance national security, prevent potential terrorist attacks and stop illegal immigration.
The authority will be responsible for maintaining the core database and laying down the procedure of issuance of smart cards, carrying the unique identification number (UID). It would also specify the usage of the card. Initially, the UID number will be assigned to all voters by building on current electoral roll data.
