UID project in India is a Unique IDentification  (UID)Project in which every citizen would have one unique identification number that will identify him/ her. It would not just the government track down individuals as is highlighted by the media, but would make life far easier for citizens as they would not have to submit so many documents each time they want to avail a new service - private or government. The Unique Identification Authority of India is being established under the aegis of the Planning Commission for which a notification has been issued in January 2009.

In pursuance of the Empowered group of Ministers' fourth meeting dated 04 November 2008, the Unique Identification Authority of India was constituted and notified by the Planning Commission on 28 January 2009 as an attached office under the aegis of Planning Commission with an initial core team of 115 officials. The role and responsibilities of the UIDAI was laid down in this notification. The UIDAI was given the responsibility to lay down plan and policies to implement UIDAI scheme and shall own and operate the UIDAI database and be responsible for its updation and maintenance on an ongoing basis .As per the government, UID numbers will enable efficient delivery of government services by plugging leakages, and facilitate inclusive development through improved targeting.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has been created as an attached office under the Planning Commission. Its role is to develop and implement the necessary institutional, technical and legal infrastructure to issue unique identity numbers to Indian residents.

UID project is given brand name as Aadhaar.Aadhaar is a 12-digit Unique IDentification (UID) number which the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will issue for all residents. The number will be stored in a centralised database and linked to the basic demographics and biometric information - photograph, ten fingerprints and iris - of each individual.

OBJECTIVES OF UID PROJECT :

• Obviate need for multiple documentary proof
• Facilitate easy verification
• Facilitate easy availing of government or private services
• Help welfare programmes reach intended beneficiaries
• Serve as basis for e-governance services

BENEFITS TO RESIDENTS & GOVT.

• This would end needless harassment that people face for availing of basic government services like issuance of passports, driving licences, Electoral Identity Cards, PAN Card, ration card, etc. This scheme is designed to leverage intensive usage of the UID for multipurposes to provide an efficient and convenient mechanism to update information. Photographs and biometric data will be added progressively to make the identification foolproof. Easy registration and information change procedures are envisaged for the benefit of the people.
• The project envisages assigning a unique identification (ID) number to each resident in the country to eliminate the need for multiple identification mechanisms. Moreover, the project will eventually become the underpinning of the Citizens Smart Card Project, which will enable citizens to avail subsidies on food, energy, education, etc, depending on their entitlements, according to the 11th report of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission.

About the Author:
read blog for more information about UID aadhaar project: UID blog