ID :
67709
Thu, 06/25/2009 - 20:11
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/67709
The shortlink copeid
Nilekani to have minister rank as Identification Project head
New Delhi, June 25 (PTI) The Indian government Thursday
set in motion the process of providing a Unique Identification
Number to India's citizens and appointed Infosys Technologies
Co-Chairman Nandan Nilekani as head of an Authority for this
purpose.
The move to set up the UID Authority of India (UIDAI),
under the aegis of the Planning Commission, is aimed at
providing a unique identity to the targeted population of the
flagship schemes to ensure that the benefits reach them,
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told
reporters here after the Cabinet meeting.
As Chairman of the body, Nilekani will have Cabinet
minister rank and status, she said.
"The Authority shall have the responsibilities to lay
down plans and policies to implement the Unique Identification
Scheme (UID), shall own and operate the Unique Identification
number database and be responsible for its updation and
maintenance on an ongoing basis," she said.
The Authority will identify the targeted groups for
various flagship programmes, she added.
The flagship schemes of the UPA include the National
Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan,
National Rural Health Mission and Bharat Nirman.
The unique identification number would ensure that any
lacuna in these schemes is removed so that the benefits do not
reach those they are not meant for.
The Government had earmarked Rs 100 crore in the interim
Budget presented by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in
Parliament on February 16 to kickstart its ambitious Unique
Identification Project.
The government has been working on improving arrangements
to ensure that development deliverables reach the intended
beneficiaries, Mukherjee had said.
In order to do so efficiently, effectively and
economically, a comprehensive system of unique identity had
been worked out, he had added.
The Government also plans to set up state units of UIDAI,
headed by state UID Commissioners.
Earlier, an Empowered Group of Ministers had approved
setting up UIDAI with an initial core team in November 2008.
PTI
set in motion the process of providing a Unique Identification
Number to India's citizens and appointed Infosys Technologies
Co-Chairman Nandan Nilekani as head of an Authority for this
purpose.
The move to set up the UID Authority of India (UIDAI),
under the aegis of the Planning Commission, is aimed at
providing a unique identity to the targeted population of the
flagship schemes to ensure that the benefits reach them,
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told
reporters here after the Cabinet meeting.
As Chairman of the body, Nilekani will have Cabinet
minister rank and status, she said.
"The Authority shall have the responsibilities to lay
down plans and policies to implement the Unique Identification
Scheme (UID), shall own and operate the Unique Identification
number database and be responsible for its updation and
maintenance on an ongoing basis," she said.
The Authority will identify the targeted groups for
various flagship programmes, she added.
The flagship schemes of the UPA include the National
Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan,
National Rural Health Mission and Bharat Nirman.
The unique identification number would ensure that any
lacuna in these schemes is removed so that the benefits do not
reach those they are not meant for.
The Government had earmarked Rs 100 crore in the interim
Budget presented by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in
Parliament on February 16 to kickstart its ambitious Unique
Identification Project.
The government has been working on improving arrangements
to ensure that development deliverables reach the intended
beneficiaries, Mukherjee had said.
In order to do so efficiently, effectively and
economically, a comprehensive system of unique identity had
been worked out, he had added.
The Government also plans to set up state units of UIDAI,
headed by state UID Commissioners.
Earlier, an Empowered Group of Ministers had approved
setting up UIDAI with an initial core team in November 2008.
PTI
