Aadhaar rollout in a few days, says Nilekani

Even as there is a lot of talk over the government’s census operation, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is all set to roll out Aadhaar, the unique identification number, to the residents of the country in a few days, UIDAI Chairman Nandan Nilekani has said.

“The scheme, which aims to further the cause of financial inclusion and mobility of individual identification across geographical boundaries, will be operational in a few days,” he said at an annual seminar organised by the All India Management Association here today.

Aadhaar, which will provide electronic, web-based verification of identity, will take steps to ensure safeguards preventing de-duplication, making biometrics relevant.

Nilekani outlined the road map for the implementation of Aadhaar, stating that the process would be a coalition, to be launched in association with other vendors who would function as public enrolment officers.

“Banks and public sector enterprises will be partners with UIDAI in the enrolment process and will function as registrars. Given the fact that these agencies already are equipped with infrastructure for enrolment and identification, will aid hasten the process-UIDAI provide requisite hardware and software”, said the former Infosys CEO.

Interestingly, Nilekani said, UIDAI would also provide banking services through an innovation known as the mini-ATM, which would function, backed by business correspondents-volunteers appointed by UIDAI, and equipped with Aadhar cards.

“Under the aegis of the scheme, local bank agents are to be appointed business correspondents, facilitating the conduction of banking transactions on this card. The correspondent will work as the agent between financial institutions and local customers. The mobile phone will be used as the media for all such transactions,” he said.

Nilekani also set aside concerns of privacy and security raised by activists in the past that the access to information would be tough to misuse given the participatory nature of its envisioned use.