Indian government has set up an authority to look up to the formation of an Unique Identification Number (UID) for all its citizens The panel will be headed by former Infosys boss Nandan Nilekani. The UID will help people to have an unique identification code like the social security number (SSN) in the United States. Currently if we want to show our identification most people submit different different documents. Some might submit their passports; some ration cards and most people their driving licenses. This is a fundamental problem across our country and it becomes more difficult for poor and homeless people as they will not have any proof of Indian Citizenship hence barring from obtaining various benefits and services from the government.
UID no: is a unique identity number given to each individual so that they will be spared from submitting various documents as proof as they will have all their details engraved in the UID no: This will also lessen the burden of photocopies and attestations for us citizens. This system will be also designed keeping in mind the inclusion of under privileged people in the formal banking system. This will allow hem to be apart of various government schemes and even help them for finding jobs in private sectors. Since the number given is of global stature the rate of migrants within the country will also shoot up. According to the in charge authority the Unique Identification Authority of India or the UIDAI the response and the effect of the number will but within a few years UID will play significant role among the rich and the poor. UIDAI has the status of an union ministry and Mr.Nilekani has the power of a cabinet minister. His experience of making Infosys a house hold name will certainly account to the smooth functioning of UIDAI. Various comities and the task forces will assist the panel to make this venture a reality. The use of technology is also key as the UID no: will include not only storage of our various datas but will contain various biometric details as well. For this a biometric committee has been drafted. UIDIA also plans to envision a host of public and private agencies namely NRGEA and the PDS to act as registrars. Various banks have also been roped for building infrastructure of this magnitude. Data enrolment and verification should be handled carefully because this will constitute the complete demographics of a person. A Data and demographics committee has been set up for this matter and they will join hands with the registrars for the enrollment details.
This type of number is very important in countries like the United States as an individual will require this number to even visit a pharmacist, This number is important to persons even visiting the US on a visiting visa, The first thing you do after landing on the US shores is go straight to the identification department and have the SSN issued. Without the SSN we cannot do anything in US. This will be a number so attached to our heart like our name. Many people have started the trend of tattooing their SSN no: on their bodies. Apart from the US many European countries have also implemented the unique id no: very successfully. UIDIA will soon begin testing in various states and is expected to issue the UID numbers within 12-18 months. We do not know the exact structure and what is in store by the UIDIA yet but as and when it comes it will for sure revolutionize the way our systems work.
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