Nandan Nilkeni the head of Infosys Technologies has been made the head of National ID Card Project. He has been given a Cabinet Minister rank.
The appointment brings in some sense of realisation in the government that task of such importance and stupendous data can be best handled by a Technocrat person – also private-public partnership.
The move to set up chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), and provide every citizen with a unique biometric identity card.
In India currently we have various cards – without any interlinking. And also these cards are administered by different authorities.
1) APL / BPL Card (Above/Below Poverty Line)
2) Ration Card (Municiple Corporation)
3) Voter ID Card (administered by State Electoral Officer)
4) Driving License (Road Transport Authority under State Government)
5) PAN Card (Permanent Account Number of Income Tax)
6) Passport (Ministry of External Affairs, Central Govt)
And apart from this – for identification purpose other kinds of certificates – like Certificate from Gazzetted Officer or an MLA/MP are equally valid – depending on for what purpose the identification is being required.
Apart from this – there are things like EPF number (relating to Provident Fund – which is administered by various authorities) and also ESIC number (for medical benefit to workers)
Its not really clear whether the Unique ID would add to this list?
If it adds to this list – then it would only add to the woes of the people.
I have seen people having PAN Card and Driving license with different spelling of names and different date of birth – the differences – the card holders attribute to inefficiencies of data entry operators of the card making authorities. To make amendments to these is equally difficult.
Apart from these – for each Card there is a chain of touts and agents. So again – would this National ID project add another ring in the chain of touts?
Apparently, initially this project would apply for providing a unique identity to the targeted population of the welfare schemes.
By use of fake identities – much of the funds are siphoned off by politician – official nexus from the welfare schemes and the targeted people do not get anything. So apparently a properly executed ID project would plug this loophole.
