Posted: Fri Nov 25 2011, 01:29 hrs, New Delhi,
Back home, the UIDAI project is facing flak over security as well as collection of its data. However, the Nandan Nilekani-led initiative to give each of the 1.2 billion Indians a unique identity number has others interested, from the US to tiny Papua New Guinea.
While the Americans are intrigued by the biometric compilation of data, Papua New Guinea that has one of the most heterogenous populations in the world feels the Unique Identification Authority of India project is the best model to give each of its 61 lakh people an identity proof. PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill wants its citizens to have UID-inspired cards by its general elections in June 2012 — which could be even before the Aadhar project has covered all Indians.
O’Neill had first proposed a UID-like scheme for PNG three years ago, when he was treasury minister, after visiting Bangalore. However, the cabinet hadn’t approved then. Having taken over as prime minister recently, he sent a request in September seeking Indian help.