INDIA TO ISSUE IDENTITY CARD NUMBERS BY 2010

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, July 23 (Bernama) -- In just over a year, India will roll out its
first individual identity card numbers to citizens, under a nationwide project
to ensure they are authentically identified.

Spearheading the scheme is Unique Identification Database Authority (UID)
which would cover a staggering one billion people across the country.

Former co-chairman of IT giant Infosys, Nandan Nilekani, has been appointed
by the government to head UID.

The software engineer-cum-entrepreneur said UID's finer details were being
worked out.

"We intend to issue the identification numbers between 12 and 18 months. Our
intention is to give a unique number based on advanced biometrics, so one person
will have one number and there is no duplication.

"The project is for Indian residence...this is important, especially for
poor people, for example, migrants (inter-state migrants)," Nilekani, who took
office Thursday in Delhi, told the media.

The all-purpose identity card number could help people open a bank account
or obtain electricity connection, among others.

"It will socially benefit the people and empower them," said Nilekani.

Currently, India has no standard identity card for its citizens and many
rely on their ration cards, driving licence or PAN (permanent account number for
tax) card for official transactions.
-- BERNAMA