Nandan Nilekani takes over as chairman of UIADI

New Delhi, July 23 (ANI): Nandan Nilekani took over as chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIADI) here today.

Interacting with the media on the occasion, Nilekani said Unique Identification Numbers would ensure multifarious benefits by enabling different applications.

"Unique number will include personal and demographic detail of the residents. Common man will be empowered by establishing his identity across the country through a unique number," he said.

Replying to queries, he said that data base of residents from various sources will be used for biometric identification.

"Authority will include best available technical experts from private and Government sector both," he added.

He expressed the hope that first set of Unique Identification Numbers will be issued within the next 12-18 months.

In January, the Government of India had notified the creation of the National Authority of Unique Identity.

The ambitious plan of unique identification has been allocated Rs 100 crore in the interim budget of 2009-10.

The Unique Identification Numbers aims at eliminating the need for multiple identification mechanism prevalent across various government departments, and it will ensure that each Indian citizen will carry a permanent identifier from birth to death.

The permanent identifier which will also cover children, will help in at establishing citizenship, reducing identity related frauds, addresses security issues and prevent leakages in different government schemes.

In the beginning, the Unique Identity Number will be given to all voters who are on current electoral rolls, and gradually, the other persons including those below 18 years of age will be added to the database. Photographs and biometric data will be added to make the identification perfect. (ANI)