Review all identification exercises to avoid duplication: Nilekani to govt

As the government plans to formally start rolling out the Unique Identity numbers Aadhaar from later this month...

As the government plans to formally start rolling out the Unique Identity numbers Aadhaar from later this month,UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani has suggested that the government should go in for a comprehensive review of all the identification exercises by its various agencies working independently for different schemes,to avoid duplication of efforts and expenditure.

It will not be out of place to mention that for most of the schemes that are already underway,the implementing agencies are preparing databases of beneficiaries,collecting biometrics,issuing identity numbers and smartcards. There are thus several identity initiatives being undertaken in silos and the databases are not integrated. A review of all such initiatives in the light of the availability of a national level unique identity number for every resident is therefore called for, Nilekani has written to Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar recently. It is also noticed that a number of schemes are adopting various standards of biometric collection for identification of beneficiaries. The use of Aadhaar number for identification and authentication can avoid duplication of efforts and expenditure.

In this context,he has also asked the government to instruct all the ministries to hold consultations with the UIDAI before submitting proposals before the Cabinet/Cabinet Committees for final approval in the wake of the fact that the UIDAI is set to start enrolling residents in its database.

I will be grateful if you could issue general instructions and also consider modifying the guidelines for preparation of Cabinet notes calling for every ministry/ department preparing Cabinet notes for the consideration by the Cabinet/Cabinet Committees in all cases relating to central and centrally sponsored schemes to consult UIDAI and incorporate our views in their notes, Nilekani has written,underlining that the suggestions from the UIDAI will help make all future government schemes UID compliant.

In fact,the Cabinet Secretariat is learnt to have subsequently written to all the ministries seeking their views regarding Nilekanis demand before effecting the changes.

Nilekanis suggestions hold the key to the benefits of rolling out Aadhaar numbers as they could go a long way in improving the quality of implementation and and also enhancing the efficiency and accountability of delivery mechanisms of many of the individual beneficiary oriented schemes from about 300 central and centrally sponsored schemes.

If accepted by the government,Nilekanis suggestions may require some modifications in the existing processes of collection of the biometric and demographic data for beneficiaries of major government schemes like NREGA,health insurance to BPL families under RSBY,old age pension schemes,scholarships to students,rations card holders among others.