Yet another ID for citizens
Accurate Data Capturing A Challenge
UNIQUE Identification Authority of India chairman Nandan Nilekani told that the proposed rollout of the unique identification number (UIN) next year will be the software equivalent of bijli-sadak-pani which has a multiplier effect on economic growth. Indeed, the project can have transformational impact on the economy, if the concept is competently translated into action. It is hoped that once citizens have a 16-digit identification card, the government will be able to better target its programmes for lifting people out of poverty. Conceptually, it should enable improved targeting of subsidies and even allow shifting to a system of direct cash transfers to the needy, thereby cutting through the bureaucracy and reducing leakages.
The government proposes to issue a card ultimately to every citizen of the country with details of his financial, educational and health-related information. However, as Mr Nilekani has rightly pointed out, there are two big challenges to the rollout of the programme — enrolment and authentication. Many in this country could vouch that getting an identification document, be it a ration card, a PAN card, Voter ID card or passport, however simple the process, is nothing short of being extremely frustrating. There are innumerable instances of people holding more than one PAN and voter ID cards. Use of biometrics may help getting around this problem. Others complain of errors in the cards issued to them. Given that experience, convincing people to enroll for yet another card will be an uphill task. More tough would be getting citizens to share accurate personal details, particularly financial details, as people fear misuse of data by various government agencies.
The challenges to creating the database, perhaps the largest project undertaken anywhere in the world, is well known. It has to be made tamper-proof and transparent, if it is to ultimately serve as a single identification number replacing ration cards, PAN and Voter ID. Updating the data stored on the card and the database will be another challenge — particularly for changes in income and migration. And, that will be critical as one of the primary objectives of the card is to make the BPL list rigorous and improve financial inclusion.
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