Friday, June 26, 2009

Nilekani quits Infosys to head Govt's unique ID project

New Delhi: Nandan Nilekani resigned as Co-Chairman of Infosys Technologies and its board on Thursday. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has given him a mission to head an IT-driven Government program for providing unique identification numbers to citizens of the country.

“I am sad to let go off that great and intimate association but this was an offer for which I could not have refused,” says Nilekani.

This project which count, account and acknowledge every Indian citizen.

Once a person gets his UID or unique identification number he will not have to carry so many identity cards. It will not only make one’s wallet lighter but has many other benefits too –

  • One permanent identifier from birth to death

  • No need for multiple documentary proof

  • Deters illegal immigration, curb terrorism

  • Change of name and address? Change only in UID

  • Facilitates online verification

  • Prevents defaults; frauds

“We will need one year to roll out unique IDs. The UID system will be superior to any existing identification system. The UID will have biometric identification system. Other ministries can use UID system,” says Planning Commission Deputy Chairman, Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

WHAT WILL THIS CARD LOOK LIKE

This card will look like a credit card and will make your life simpler but there is more to it.

  • Birth date, parents, address details embedded

  • Given at birth

  • Carry photo and finger impression

  • Income level, education might be included

  • Microprocessor chip-acts like a mini computer

  • Memory of 16KB

Can't be tampered and cloned

This is also seen as a boost to Indian IT companies hit by downturn in Europe and America. America was the first country that implemented the unique ID cards for its citizens.

Nilekani comes with the administrative skills and an indepth understanding of IT solutions to enumerate this country of a billion plus.

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