Priyadarshi Siddhanta
Posted: Wed Feb 09 2011, 05:17 hrs
New Delhi:
The ambitious Unique Identification (UID) project, being steered by Nandan Nilekani, may have to settle for less than half funding, as against what it has sought from the government for the Budget 2011-12.
Posted: Wed Feb 09 2011, 05:17 hrs
New Delhi:
The ambitious Unique Identification (UID) project, being steered by Nandan Nilekani, may have to settle for less than half funding, as against what it has sought from the government for the Budget 2011-12.
Though the finance ministry will take the final call on fund allocation for the project, sources in the authority said that the government was committed to the project and there would be no hurdles in the way.
According to sources, the Planning Commission has favoured allocating the UID Authority Rs 1,400 crore against its demand for Rs 3,500 crore. The department had sought Rs 3,500 crore for setting up a IT Data Repository as a single platform for the project and needed to set up necessary infrastructure for the same. It is understood that UIDAI had to face the axe, as a chunk of the funding were being earmarked for social sector flagship programmes.
During the next five years, the cost of Aadhaar — the brand name of the unique identification number — would be around Rs 35,000-40,000 crore, which is to be borne by the exchequer. The other reason for lowering allocation to the Aadhaar project could also be the possibility of the home ministry shouldering the majority part of it for the National Population Registry, sources said.
According to sources, the Planning Commission has favoured allocating the UID Authority Rs 1,400 crore against its demand for Rs 3,500 crore. The department had sought Rs 3,500 crore for setting up a IT Data Repository as a single platform for the project and needed to set up necessary infrastructure for the same. It is understood that UIDAI had to face the axe, as a chunk of the funding were being earmarked for social sector flagship programmes.
During the next five years, the cost of Aadhaar — the brand name of the unique identification number — would be around Rs 35,000-40,000 crore, which is to be borne by the exchequer. The other reason for lowering allocation to the Aadhaar project could also be the possibility of the home ministry shouldering the majority part of it for the National Population Registry, sources said.