UIDAI sets target of 10 cr 'Aadhaar' numbers in one year

The Unique Identification Authority of India has set a target of 10 crore 'Aadhaar' numbers to be issued in the next one year.

While the target for the first phase is issuance of 60 crore 'Aadhaar' numbers in four years, the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) of the Finance Ministry which met recently has set an upper limit of 10 crore numbers for this year.

The committee has also decided to dole out about Rs 3,000 crore for various expenditure components. The Union budget for 2010-2011 had earmarked Rs 1,900 crore for UIDAI.

The authority had sought over Rs 6,500 crore for the first phase of the project, which aims to give a unique 12-digit number to all residents of the country.

"The Rs 6,500 crore meant for the first phase had various components. While some was for immediate purpose, others were for long term including those for first phase. EFC has set a target of 10 crore numbers for this year and funds have been allocated keeping that in mind," a source said.

The Thirteenth Finance Commission has also recommended that 'an incentive of Rs 100 per person' would encourage people below the poverty line to register for the UID, and the state governments may accordingly receive money to provide such incentives during UID enrolment.

"It is a separate allocation," he added.

The first number is expected to be rolled out between August 2010 and February 2011. The UID is currently tying up with various state government and other agencies who will act like registrars and help in enrolling residents for the ambitious project.

Currently, UIDAI is executing Proof of Concepts (PoCs) in three states — Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Bihar. These PoCs will enable certain systems to be tested before the concept is scaled up. The UIDAI plans to complete field testing on enrolment and biometric processes soon.