Thursday, March 10, 2011

1172 - Unique identity number: Impact and evolution - Source- Economic Times

8th March 2011, 


TEXT: ET Bureau

How UID is evolving

India's largest social inclusion programme, riding on information technology, is now expected to stand against subsidy leakage and theft, the exclusion of of millions from the banking system and the rising 'poverty premium' that sets the poor back each day.


600 million unique numbers over the next four years

Up to $20 billion of commercial opportunity for the IT industry


Over 500 million adults excluded from the banking system for lack of identity. UID can help bring 125 million into the banking system in next 4 years.

UID has already floated a tender for opening 50 million bank accounts


Will provide subsidy accounts of keroseene and fertiliser to the eligible, with real-time tracking of allocated quota through text alerts

Will curb $110 billion worth of subsidy leakage over next five years

Nearly 58% of subsidised foodgrain does not reach the target group

The subsidy management system will be linked with UID number to ensure fair distribution