Over 12 lakh Multi Purpose Identity Cards issued in 12 states

New Delhi, Apr 22 (UNI) The government has issued more than 12 lakh identity cards to people above 18 years in the first phase of the pilot project on Multi-purpose National Identity Cards, in twelve states and one Union Territory.

Minister of State for Home Shakeel Ahmad said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today that 20 MNIC Centres have been set up one in each tehsil/block of the pilot areas which will remain functional till March 31, 2009 for maintenance and updating of database.

Besides, they will provide services to the identity card holders as well as those who could not be verified in the first phase.

Meanwhile, the Planning Commission has accorded 'in principal approval' to the scheme for preparation of National Population Register which envisages collection of information on specified items of each individual at the time of population enumeration during census 2011.

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