Creating database UIDAI's main task: Nilekani

The database will help government in issuing unique identity cards to each of the country's 1.17 billion people

Published on 07/23/2009 - 13:09:58 PM

New Delhi: The main task of the Unique Identification Database Authority of India (UIDAI) would be to create a database that will help in issuing unique identity cards to each of the country's 1.17 billion people, authority Chairman Nandan Nilekani said here on Thursday.

Nilekani who took charge as the Chairman of the Unique Identification Database Authority of India today said this will be a nationwide system of authentication.

"Identity is important for everyone, especially for the poor. Getting an identity is a tough job. We will provide a database of residents. We will have a very simple database in biometrics. We will only have very basic information," he added.

Nilekani said that the authority will not issue the biometric cards itself - but the database it is creating will help government agencies to undertake that task, reports IANS.

The main purpose of the project, he said, was to avert the need for multiple proofs of identity for citizens while availing any government service, or for private needs like opening bank accounts or seeking telephone connections.

It is also expected to enhance national security by helping to identify illegal aliens.

Nilekani has already met Communications and Information Technology Minister A Raja and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, seeking their support for the project.

Over the next few weeks, he intends to create the requisite administrative infrastructure to deal with the ambitious project. "We will pick up talent from both government and outside. We will also have biometric experts and others for security and identity management," he said.

Add new comment

Submitted by rohit kumar on 09/13/2009 - 04:29:17 AM.

Please see a suggestion here:
http://rohitsz.blogspot.com/2009/08/unique-identification-project.html
I have approached Nandan for the same, hope I get some response.

Submitted by Priyank on 08/31/2009 - 00:55:10 AM.

I have a question to ask?

How will the database be helpful to root out corruption and how will it be helpful to the people who have not yet got their i-card... like BPL, how unique i.no. will be alloted to these bpl

Submitted by Mrs. Anindita Dey on 07/24/2009 - 01:23:42 AM.

Thumbs up for this particular step which has the potential to curb terror strike in the country as well! I would like to suggest that the thumb impression should be registered in the proposed unique identity card. This I have advocated in my numerous earlier postings to iGovernment newsletter: http://www.igovernment.in/site/india-plans-multi-purpose-national-id-car...,
http://www.igovernment.in/site/India-may-set-up-federal-agency-to-battle...
and in Times of India: http://o3.indiatimes.com/mytimes/archive/2008/07/29/4932459.aspx#4932780).
Signature is a good indicator of literacy but thumb impression is better for verification purpose.

Submitted by s.c.aggarwal on 07/23/2009 - 21:08:33 PM.

To issue an unique identity card what database is required? Can you send details?
SC Aggarwal

Submitted by Shashikant Kumar on 07/23/2009 - 07:01:09 AM.

Unique Identification Database Authority of India (UIDAI)has been total disregard of the Census of India, they already have setup to undertake this national project. How would the project execution or up gradation take place ? There needs to be interlink with registrar of Births/Deaths and Census of India who conducts door to door survey of households. Unless there is partnership with the Census or concern ministry this task is only technical show peace but would be failure to operationalize in future.

Its good that the biomatrics technology would not be used to generate the cards. We can generate data from any point of interest either from banks, PO, Local body offices etc to get the name or ID of the citizens.

Sources data from body other than local corporations or panchayats would be ficticious and dangerous due to organisational mismatch in actual user or issued person incase of data from cards of Oil Companies or similar sources.

Lets take head count method or better statistical excercise to allocate the numbers from multiple source or multiple servers based technology.

Or search for better technology rather than allot the contract with untested or technologies adopted without public debate to known IT companies. Where is the research conducted and how this was done is internal ploy of selected IT companies who have large stake.

Lets not overemphasize IT firms without partnering with other service providers in Public or private. Nothing is fool proof and perfect.

Post Comments

Total Comments: 5