Rs 3,023 cr for second phase of UIDs
The government on Thursday approved Rs 3023.01 crore for the second phase of the UPA’s ambitious scheme to allocate unique identity numbers to 10 crore of the country’s population.
A decision to this effect was taken at the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Unique Identification Authority chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. According to an official release, out of the total amount Rs 477.11 crore would be towards recurring establishment expenditure and the rest would be spent on non-recurring project related expenditure.
The estimated cost includes project components for issue of 10 crore unique identity (UID) numbers by March 2011 and recurring establishment costs for the entire project phase of five years ending March 2014. The first set of 10 crore UID numbers are expected to be issued between August 2010 and March 2011. Thereafter, 600 million UID numbers are expected to be issued within the next three years. The UID project would provide unique numbers to all residents of India.
The Unique Identity Authority of India proposes to collect the demographic and biometric attributes of residents through various agencies of the Central and the state governments who interact with the residents.
Meanwhile refuting the media reports that the government has curtailed the fund demanded by the UIDAI, official sources said, “It is not true. The fund approved is enough for the authority to function for next four years and issue first set of 10 crore UID. By September this year picture would be clearer, as by then the National Population Register (NPR) will also be ready and if need be so more funds can be provided.”
The UID project is primarily aimed at ensuring inclusive growth by providing a form of identity to those who do not have any identity. It seeks to provide UID numbers to the marginalised sections of society.
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