Sat, Jun 25, 2011 at 13:58
He believes in the power of technology and challenges, which is why Nandan Nilekani was appointed by the Prime Minister to lay the foundation for the world’s largest and most ambitious identification program. Two years into his job as the chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Nilekani delivered on his promise of rolling out the Aadhaar number.
The unique identification project like most innovations faces admiration and skepticism both alike. On CNBC-TV18’s Young Turks, Nilekani decodes the UID, says with 9.2 million people on board, the critics can keep calm now.
Below is a transcript of Nandan Nilekani;s interview with CNBC-TV18. Also watch the accompanying video.
Below is a transcript of Nandan Nilekani;s interview with CNBC-TV18. Also watch the accompanying video.
Q: How has life changed for you?
A: It has changed in many ways. I have left the private sector and joined the government. I went from a situation where I was leading a 100,000 person company to doing a start up all over again but a start up in government. It has been a great experience. I have learnt a lot in the last two years.
A: It has changed in many ways. I have left the private sector and joined the government. I went from a situation where I was leading a 100,000 person company to doing a start up all over again but a start up in government. It has been a great experience. I have learnt a lot in the last two years.
Q: How do you function? How have you been able to reorient yourself?
A: I have had an absolutely unhindered and unencumbered two years in the government. I was given a job and I also have guidance. We will do 600 million people by 2014. I am going to stick to the guidance. We had another guidance that we will launch within 18 months. We beat that guidance by launching in 14 months.
A: I have had an absolutely unhindered and unencumbered two years in the government. I was given a job and I also have guidance. We will do 600 million people by 2014. I am going to stick to the guidance. We had another guidance that we will launch within 18 months. We beat that guidance by launching in 14 months.
Q: What is the current status? How many numbers have you rolled out?
A: We have enrolled 9.2 million people. We have an online portal that is real time, which tells you the status every morning, therefore as of today it if 9.2 million people across 11 states.
A: We have enrolled 9.2 million people. We have an online portal that is real time, which tells you the status every morning, therefore as of today it if 9.2 million people across 11 states.
Q: Confidentiality is one of the apprehensions that are being expressed. The UID is to become compulsory and not voluntary. What is your take?
A: UID gives an ID, it doesn’t really give anything else and it gives an online ID that you to authenticate that ID in a mobile banking application or online web application. It is a very limited thing and it’s designed for giving benefits to people. 9.2 million people have received a letter from us with a number. Many of them have never had an identity in their lives. Therefore, for the first time they are having an ID that enables them to open a bank account, to get a mobile connection and so on. People are seeing the value of this from the point of view of entitlements and benefits. A lot of the skepticism is therefore tapering off.
A: UID gives an ID, it doesn’t really give anything else and it gives an online ID that you to authenticate that ID in a mobile banking application or online web application. It is a very limited thing and it’s designed for giving benefits to people. 9.2 million people have received a letter from us with a number. Many of them have never had an identity in their lives. Therefore, for the first time they are having an ID that enables them to open a bank account, to get a mobile connection and so on. People are seeing the value of this from the point of view of entitlements and benefits. A lot of the skepticism is therefore tapering off.
Q: The other apprehension is where or whom will this data eventually go to? Will it go to India or American business houses?
A: The database we have has your name, your sex, your address and your date of birth and on an optional basis your e-mail and mobile number if you want to be contacted. It’s a black box. All that you can use it for is authentication. There is no question of sharing this data. This data is inside this black box. Only when XYZ comes to a point of service and says I want to confirm I am XYZ - you get some authentication token or a biometric and we will confirm that your are XCYZ — that’s all.
A: The database we have has your name, your sex, your address and your date of birth and on an optional basis your e-mail and mobile number if you want to be contacted. It’s a black box. All that you can use it for is authentication. There is no question of sharing this data. This data is inside this black box. Only when XYZ comes to a point of service and says I want to confirm I am XYZ - you get some authentication token or a biometric and we will confirm that your are XCYZ — that’s all.
Q: Besides the UID — who can access this data or who can the UID authorize to access this data? Can a government agency or individual ministry access this data?
A: The data base is only used for authentication. In the interest of national security which is there is there in any country — if there is a certain request under a due process which requires the government for reasons of finding a terrorist or whatever — they can access that data with a request which is also audited.
A: The data base is only used for authentication. In the interest of national security which is there is there in any country — if there is a certain request under a due process which requires the government for reasons of finding a terrorist or whatever — they can access that data with a request which is also audited.
Q: How do you ensure the security of this data?
A: This database is behind a perimeter of partners. Therefore this database is not exposed to the world. It’s only talking through trusted partners who in turn may have front end services where the use is only for authentication.
A: This database is behind a perimeter of partners. Therefore this database is not exposed to the world. It’s only talking through trusted partners who in turn may have front end services where the use is only for authentication.