10 APR, 2011, 11.27AM IST,
NEHA BHATIA,ET BUREAU
UID's mandate is to issue every resident a unique identification number linked to the resident's demographic and biometric information, which they can use to identify themselves anywhere in India, and to access a host of benefits and services.
According to Nandan Nilekani , the Chairperson of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), "The only information that we want is the name, sex, age and address of the applicant. And once registered, residents will be verified through a biometric scanning of ten fingerprints and iris." This will be followed by them being photographed and then issuing of an enrolment number upon completion .
Nilekani was delivering a lecture on Envisioning India-The Potential of Aadhaar, a part of the National Lecture Series on 'Analysing and Envisioning India' organized by Centre for Media Studies.
Addressing the major challenges faced by the country and how the UID project will help tackle them, Nilekani, explained "The major problem is the population of the country. There are a large number of residents whose existence is not even acknowledged by the Indian State as they do not have an identity as a proof. The UID will help give them an identity of their own. The purpose of the UID project is to make development more inclusive."
Another major purpose behind the UID is to address the problem of mobility in the country. With urbanization, the rate of migration too is on a high in India. And it is further expected to take a leap. By having the aadhar number, these migrants, be it the rural or urban migrants, will have a portable identity.
Nilekani further emphasized that UID will make public spending more transparent , equitable and effective . By making no duplication or diversion possible, the UID project will aim at ensuring public service delivery more convenient. "The whole concept is based on the inclusion point of view and not exclusion.
With biometric verification, generating one number per person is only possible, so the scope for duplication does not exist. This in itself acts as a motivation to ensure correct information is given by the applicant. The randomly generated 12- digit number will be used for identification and authentication after which services will be delivered to the beneficiaries .
The identification process will address the question 'Who are you?' A database which is online will provide the answer whether the person carrying the UID number is authentic or genuine . The UID number is portable nationally and can be verified anywhere," he added.
Talking about how UID will change the financial dynamics in the country, Nilekani assessed, "Over the last one decade, the verification process has become more onerous. This has raised several challenges in financial inclusion. The policy of KYC (Know Your Customer) has become a hindrance for poor to open bank accounts or have mobile connections . Even delivery of financial subsidiaries has become complexed.
Nonetheless, with online authentication made possible by UID, not only will these people be able to have their bank accounts and mobile numbers but also the transaction cost to open the account will go down. In fact, out of the 2 million enrolments we have done till now, 80 percent have said that they want to open bank account."
The UID Project will also make banking services more accessible to remote areas. Business correspondents like village level shopkeepers will be established in villages and will be provided with micro-ATMs (handheld devices). Through which they can offer the villagers, having the UID no., the money needed by them (after verification).
This process of decentralized banking via business correspondents will help in financial inclusion . Also the UID system can be used for giving direct subsidy on food, fuel (kerosene) and fertilizers. The monetary transactions in this case will be electronically maintained by the UID system.
Moreover, the whole UID project is based on an open programming interface. This ensures that depending on the need, more and more application can be built with time. It will not only encourage innovation but will also ensure enrolment of more and more people with less corruption.
Allaying all possible fears of privacy associated with the UID, Nilekani ensured, "The project would in no way put at risk citizens' security and rights. The data collected of the individual by means of biometric system will only be for the sake of their identification and access to other facilities like availing bank loans, being part of the PDS system and others. Aadhaar scheme will provide welfare that far outweighs the risks anticipated ." There are checks and balances and infrastructure for privacy and data.
According to Nandan Nilekani , the Chairperson of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), "The only information that we want is the name, sex, age and address of the applicant. And once registered, residents will be verified through a biometric scanning of ten fingerprints and iris." This will be followed by them being photographed and then issuing of an enrolment number upon completion .
Nilekani was delivering a lecture on Envisioning India-The Potential of Aadhaar, a part of the National Lecture Series on 'Analysing and Envisioning India' organized by Centre for Media Studies.
Addressing the major challenges faced by the country and how the UID project will help tackle them, Nilekani, explained "The major problem is the population of the country. There are a large number of residents whose existence is not even acknowledged by the Indian State as they do not have an identity as a proof. The UID will help give them an identity of their own. The purpose of the UID project is to make development more inclusive."
Another major purpose behind the UID is to address the problem of mobility in the country. With urbanization, the rate of migration too is on a high in India. And it is further expected to take a leap. By having the aadhar number, these migrants, be it the rural or urban migrants, will have a portable identity.
Nilekani further emphasized that UID will make public spending more transparent , equitable and effective . By making no duplication or diversion possible, the UID project will aim at ensuring public service delivery more convenient. "The whole concept is based on the inclusion point of view and not exclusion.
With biometric verification, generating one number per person is only possible, so the scope for duplication does not exist. This in itself acts as a motivation to ensure correct information is given by the applicant. The randomly generated 12- digit number will be used for identification and authentication after which services will be delivered to the beneficiaries .
The identification process will address the question 'Who are you?' A database which is online will provide the answer whether the person carrying the UID number is authentic or genuine . The UID number is portable nationally and can be verified anywhere," he added.
Talking about how UID will change the financial dynamics in the country, Nilekani assessed, "Over the last one decade, the verification process has become more onerous. This has raised several challenges in financial inclusion. The policy of KYC (Know Your Customer) has become a hindrance for poor to open bank accounts or have mobile connections . Even delivery of financial subsidiaries has become complexed.
Nonetheless, with online authentication made possible by UID, not only will these people be able to have their bank accounts and mobile numbers but also the transaction cost to open the account will go down. In fact, out of the 2 million enrolments we have done till now, 80 percent have said that they want to open bank account."
The UID Project will also make banking services more accessible to remote areas. Business correspondents like village level shopkeepers will be established in villages and will be provided with micro-ATMs (handheld devices). Through which they can offer the villagers, having the UID no., the money needed by them (after verification).
This process of decentralized banking via business correspondents will help in financial inclusion . Also the UID system can be used for giving direct subsidy on food, fuel (kerosene) and fertilizers. The monetary transactions in this case will be electronically maintained by the UID system.
Moreover, the whole UID project is based on an open programming interface. This ensures that depending on the need, more and more application can be built with time. It will not only encourage innovation but will also ensure enrolment of more and more people with less corruption.
Allaying all possible fears of privacy associated with the UID, Nilekani ensured, "The project would in no way put at risk citizens' security and rights. The data collected of the individual by means of biometric system will only be for the sake of their identification and access to other facilities like availing bank loans, being part of the PDS system and others. Aadhaar scheme will provide welfare that far outweighs the risks anticipated ." There are checks and balances and infrastructure for privacy and data.
