Mumbai: The unique identification number
(UID) will be a 'number for life' for millions of Indians who
are now excluded from access to public schemes, according to
Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) chairman
Nandan Nilekani.
"The domestic movement within India is slated to escalate
due to development and climate change that would drive
migration. Due to lack of identity proof, 100 million people
are unable to avail of public schemes. It is here the unique
identification number will make a difference as it will
be the 'number for life' for them," Nilekani said.
He was speaking at a lecture on 'India: Yesterday,
Today and Tomorrow' organised here Friday evening.
"With technological development, as the paper work
reduces, the cost of technology also goes down and capability
goes up. Once you make everything electronic, the prices drop.
It is when more number of people make use of technology,"
Nilekani said.
The UID would be given to every Indian irrespective of
their financial or residential status, he said.
"The main aim of issuing these numbers is to ensure
better service delivery to those who have been excluded from
public schemes, be it related to finance or food," he said.
UIDAI will roll out a biometric database of
beneficiaries, Nilekani said, adding the data can be used by
banks and post offices for generating their own UID numbers.
As banking services cannot reach each of the six lakh
villages in India, there will be micro ATMs where people can
withdraw or deposit money, he said.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, August 28, 2010, 14:04