Samaw.com

The Unique Identification Authority of India or the UIDAI, is an agency of the Government of India responsible for implementing the envisioned Multipurpose National Identity Card project in India.

It was established in February 2009, and will own and operate the Unique Identification Number database. The agency is headed by a chairman, who holds the rank and status of a Cabinet Minister. The UIDAI is part of the Planning Commission of India.

Who is the Boss?

Nandan Nilekani, a former co-chairman of Infosys Technologies, was appointed as the first Chairman of the authority in June 2009.

Goals and projected costs:

It is believed that Unique National IDs will help address the widespread embezzlement that affects subsidies and poverty alleviation programs such as NREGA. Addressing illegal immigration into India and terrorist threats is another goal of the program.

One estimate of the cost to completely roll-out National IDs to all Indian residents above the age of 18 has been placed at Rs 150,000 crore (US$ 31.95 billion). A different estimate puts it at US$ 6 billion. A sum of Rs. 100 crore (US$ 21.3 million) was approved in the 2009-2010 union budget to fund the agency for its first year of existence.

Source: Wikipedia.

What does Samaw.com think?
When implemented, possessing an Indian Identity Card will be a matter of pride. “Two thousand years ago the proudest boast was civis Romanus sum (I am a Roman citizen).” After few years, the proudest boast could be being Indian. Hehe..