Uses of Unique Identification Number & Aadhar Card Issued by UIDAI in India

Positive response from different sections of society including students, educationists, businessmen, politicians, public administrators, women self help group etc. towards unique identification number and keen interest of public is attributed mainly to technological aspects of the IT system and biometrics. Cause for this positive attitude, in opinion of Nandan Nilekeni, Chairman, UIDAI, may be the unique role that information and communication technology (ICT) has played in India. Technology has been a source of reform and empowerment in India as evident from computerization of railway reservation and land records in some states. Technological changes are favored by one and all in India as corruption is so deeprooted in some organizations that there is no way out other than technological intervention. In India, it's not an easy task to acquire an identity card recognized for common utilities. Although responsibility is assigned to Government departments to issue valid cards such as electoral identity card (Voter card), passport, driving license, pan card etc., issuance of these identity cards is made a mean of income by the officials of concerned departments. Procedural delays make it difficult to get one issued in cases of urgency. People believe that these procedural delays will be removed by the unique identity number.

Who conceived of Unique Identification System?

During the rule of the National Democratic Alliance government, Home Minister L.K. Advani proposed the issue of Multipurpose National Identity Card (MNIC) in 2001. At that point of time, it was considered a measure of distinguishing illegal Bangladeshi immigrants from Indian citizens. The UID project in its present form is promoted as a mechanism to improve the delivery of government schemes for the poor and its implementation is to be done by  a special group of Union Ministers headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. In MNIC scheme, a card was to be issued to all Indian citizens, the UID project does not envisage issue of a card but intends to issue a UID number. Although it is claimed that UID is not mandatory but demand driven, there is mention of collection of all the information (photographs, fingerprints & other biometric information) in the Census 2011 by the enumerators. Database created for National Population Register (NPR) is likely to be used by UIDAI for issueing the UID number.

Potential of the scheme:

After becoming a single source of identity verification, scheme would have great potential for elimination of duplicates. Just assume few cases: Mr 'X' has  three or four LPG Gas connections but he can't have more than one connection as per rule. Once he is assigned an unique ID No., it can be verified immediately from the database if information related to household resources is stored in the database. If it is made mandatory for filling in the UID no. mandatory at the time of issue of a gas connection, it will be easy for LPG company to match from the list of other companies whether same person is issued or not a gas connection by other companies. It is not yet clear whether government or private agencies will be authorized to extract information on individuals but according to UIDAI guidelines, answers to querries would be available only in yes or no. Main advantage of the scheme that can be visualized at this stage is establishing an individual's identity from anywhere. Other plus points of the scheme may be seen in providing service deliveries such as subsidies and monetary benefits under different Govt. schemes to the poor and marginalized populace.

Information about unique identity numbers in a nutshell:

• The Unique Identification Authority of India will issue unique identity numbers based on biometrics to all residents of India.
• This will help targeting and delivery of major government welfare programmes and public services to poor and marginalized.
• Unique Id No.(s) are expected to be issued (first set) in the first quarter of 2011.
• Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is allocated Rs.1,900 crore for 2010-11.

• A grant of Rs. 2989.10 crore to be given to State Governments for help in activity

• The institutional framework created by the UIDAI will include an Central Identity Data Repository tomanage the central system and a network of Registrars. Resident touch points will be created through Enrolling Agencies.
• The Registrars will be selelected from both Government and Private Sector Agencies  having the infrastructure  to interface with the public. The Enrolling Agency will   enrol residents  and it will be monitored by the Registrars.
• The creation of the national population register (NPR) process will provide data on residents to the UIDAI database.
•  De-duplication by UIDAI  will help registrars clean out duplicates from their databases, enabling significant efficiencies and cost savings. 
• Any person who is a temporary or ordinary resident of India can get a UID number.
• Getting a UID is voluntary but certain service providers may require a person to have a UID to deliver services.
• The UID will be the single source of identity verification and eliminate the need   of repeatedly providing supporting identity documents each time they wish to access services such as obtaining a bank account, passport, driving license, and so on. 
• Since inability to prove identity is one of the biggest barriers preventing the poor from accessing benefits and subsidies,  UIDAI will assure the inclusion of woman, children, differently-abled persons, the poor and marginalized in unique ID database 
• A resident  have to fill up an application form  and go to an enrolling agency,and provide the supporting documentation including photo, all ten finger prints   and both irs scan. This information will be sent to the registrar who will pass this on to the UID database. After excercising de-duplication, a UID number will be issued and sent to the person at their residence and to the Registrar for use in their service database.
• If the individual is already in the database the registration will be rejected and the person will be informed of the same.
• The registrar will scan the supporting documentation and send it to the UIDAI and keep the physical copies with themselves.
• UIDAI will seek the following information from the residents to issue a UID number: resident' name, Date of Birth, Gender, Fathers/Spouse/Guardian's name, Mother/Spouse/Guardians name, Address, Photograph, all ten fingerprints and both iris scan.

Updates:

•  Safran group subsidiary Morpho claims to have already covered  more than 3.5 million people  under the scheme of issuing the 12-digit unique identity numbers under the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).