Nandan Nilekani, who heads the Unique Identification Authority of India aims at provide unique ID numbers to all Indians. Nandan Nilekani said the unique ID number will not substitute other existing numbers a person may have which includes PAN, passport number, ration number. Rather, it will be an additional, unique number to be cited along with existing numbers for different purposes. This ID cards will help to weed out duplicate cards that are widespread today (notably in BPL ration cards), and, may be, benami bank accounts and property deeds.

Nilekani team will make available a unique ID database to all ministries and other partners, who can then integrate their databases (covering passports, ration cards, job cards, PAN cards) with the unique ID database. Participation in credit cards is entirely voluntary. This will also be the case with the unique ID scheme. Citizens will not be obliged to get a number. But those that don’t will find it very inconvenient, they will not have access to facilities that require you to cite your ID number.

There are already people who have struck a sceptical note. Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar claimed that babus and politicians could outsmart smart cards. Though Nilekani has clarified that there will not be smart cards, but only unique ID numbers. Software major Microsoft has also expressed keenness to be part of the government of India’s project of providing a unique identity number to the citizens of the country, saying it is a “great initiative”. Pritish Nandy sounds petrified that this ’21 digit number’ will have the State preeing into our private lives. He warns against losing your identity.

It is an ambitious plan, but rather fantastic too. Reminds me of the Abhishek Bachchan Idea ad! What an idea, Sirji!