Modalities for the roll out of Aadhaar and NPR

The Unique Identification Number (UID) project, which was to issue biometric identification cards to all residents in the country, may have to contend with issuing another 400 million cards more thanks to a compromise worked out with the ministry of home affairs.

Home minister P Chidambaram said there would be no duplication of work between the UIDAI and the National Population Register (NPR). The NPR is collected by the home minister.

While the NPR will continue to capture biometric data, Chidambaram said, for those who have already taken an Aadhar number, no biometric data will then be collected by the NPR.

The Cabinet Committee on Unique Identification Authority of India (CC-UIDAI) also today approved commencement of Phase-Ill of the UID scheme at an estimated cost of Rs8,814.75 crore. This is inclusive of the earlier approval of Rs3,023.01 crore, and comprises costs for issue of 200 million Aadhaar numbers through multiple registrars up to March 2012, printing and delivery of 200 million Aadhaar letters, technology and other support infrastructure cost for creation, storage and maintenance of data and services for leveraging the uses of Aadhaar for the entire estimated resident population up to March 2017.

Out of amount of Rs8,814.75 crore approved for expenditure on Aadhar up to March 2017, Rs2,412.67 crore would be towards recurring expenditure, including IT operational cost and recurring establishment cost and Rs6,402.08 crore towards non-recurring project related expenditure.

The committee approved the following modalities for the roll out of Aadhaar and NPR:

• UIDAI will be allowed to enroll additional 400 million residents beyond 200 million already recommended by the EFC.
  
  
• In states, where UIDAI has made good progress where state/UT governments have given commitments for Aadhaar enrolments and are planning to integrate Aadhaar with various service delivery applications, Aadhaar enrolments through non-RGI registrars will move at full speed within the ceiling of 600 million (200 million + 400 million). A suggested list of states/UTs was also approved.
  
  
• The NPR enrolment will continue as envisaged, but if in the course of enrolment, a person indicates he/she is already enrolled for Aadhaar, the biometric data will not be captured by NPR. Instead the Aadhaar number/enrolment number will be recorded in NPR and the biometric data will be sourced from the UIDAI.
  
  
• Detailed protocols will be worked out by inter-ministerial co-ordination committee (IMCC) already constituted by the ministry of home affairs so as to smoothly implement this simultaneous effort.

The financial proposal relating to Aadhaar enrolments of additional 400 million will be separately placed before the EFC. Pending this approval, UIDAI has been allowed to continue Aadhaar enrolment beyond 200 million so that the momentum of the field formations is not lost. Provision will be made in the budget for 2012-13 in anticipation thereof.

The additional cost for enrolment and logistics pertaining to printing and delivery of Aadhaar letters in respect of the 400 million additional enrolments will be brought before the EFC for their recommendation and to the CC-UIDAI for approval.

The modalities and detailed protocol for smooth implementation of simultaneous enrolment by the non-RGI registry of UIDAI and the RGI will be finalised by the IMCC within the overall directions given by the CC-UIDAI. The enrolment through non-RGI registrars of UIDAI will be for an additional 400 million population.

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 and thus would strengthen equity. Apart from providing identity, the UID will enable better delivery of services and effective governance.

The applications of Aadhar can be used for other things, including MNREGA, scholarships and ration cards, the minister said.

The Unique Identification Authority of India was established in January 2009 and has been mandated to issue Unique Identification (UTD) numbers to the residents of India. UIDAI was constituted as an attached office of the Planning Commission.

Prime Minister's Council of UID Authority was constituted on 30 July 2009 and its first meeting was held on 12 August 2009. Subsequently, the government constituted a Cabinet Committee on Unique Identification Authority' of India related issues (CC-UIDAI) in October 2009 to look into all issues relating to UIDAI, including its organisation, plans, policies, programmes, schemes, funding and methodology to be adopted for achieving the objectives of the authority.

The UIADI has completed enrolment of 170 million for unique identification through various registrars as of 20 January 2012 and has generated 119 million Aadhaar numbers.