UID number to be issued from Feb 2011

New Delhi, Dec 17: India will have its first Unique Identity number from Feb 2011 with added advantage of online verification.

"We will start issuing the unique number by February 2011," said Nandan Nilekani, chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) at a talk held in Parliament House Library.

The Rs 30,000 crore project which is the first of its kind in the world will cover the entire country's population.

"No other country has done it. It will be gateway to open up public services to the people." he said

Nilekani said that the UIDA will incorporate state governments, banks, insurance companies and other such institutions as partners in enrollment.

Ruling out the possibility of duplication, he said that biometric will ensure that there is no duplication and will have the same information carried in the Voter ID card.

"We want to keep minimal information. There will be no invasion of privacy," he said.

Nilekani said that the UID can be used for purpose of citizenship later but does not give any right or entitlements.

Demonstrating the use of unique number in banking sector, Nilekani said it will eventually lead to the setting up of ATM in every village due easier withdrawal of money.

Nilekani said that the unique number will boost up national security and will help in controlling fraud and increase tax collection.

He was attending a talk organized by the Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training of the Lok Sabha secretariat.

OneIndia News