Govt. yet to decide on issuing ID cards in rest of the country

New Delhi, July 28 (ANI): The UPA Government on Tuesday said that it is yet to take a decision on issuing national Identity cards to usual residents in the country.

Addressing the Parliament, Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Maken told the Lok Sabha in a written reply that based on the experience of the pilot project on multi- purpose National Identity Card, the Government has proposed to create a National Population Register (NPR) in the country along with 2011 census.

Maken on Tuesday said that for the National Population Register, details about specific characteristics of each individual shall be collected along with photographs and finger biometrics of persons of 18 years and above.

"The scheme for coastal areas envisages identity cards to be given to all the usual residents who are 18 years of age and above," Maken said.

He said no such decision has been made for issuance of identity (smart) cards to the usual residents in the rest of the country.

The NPR for the coastal villages in nine maritime states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal and four Union Territories of Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar islands and Pudducherry will be created during 2009-10. (ANI)