The government's ambitious unique identification number scheme is likely to be successful only if there is sufficient demand from people. Moreover, the scheme would primarily be useful for citizens availing the benefits of various government welfare schemes.
The issuance of identification numbers, which will be a demand-driven endeavour and will be issued on a voluntary basis, will help in plugging leakages in transfer of benefits under government welfare programmes.
The first database for the project is expected to be ready in 12-18 months. "The UID number will not be mandatory for people. It will be a demand-driven process and the demand will be primarily generated by people who are not comfortably placed in the society and need the assistance of government welfare schemes," said Mihir Shah, member, Planning Commission.
The population covered under welfare schemes like National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, integrated child development scheme, nutrition programme for adolescent girls and benefits under the targeted food distribution systems will require the number, while people who are not covered by such schemes might not necessarily require a unique identification for themselves.
The reason for introducing UIDs for welfare scheme is that the population covered under these currently lack proper documentary identification, leading to leakages and gaps in the delivery system.
Though the benefits of having a UID number is not confined to any particular section of people, the demand for the numbers are expected to come from below poverty line individuals, which is quintessential for the success of the entire programme.
Beneficiaries of the government's flagship National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme will be among the first people to be issued unique identification numbers, depending on the demand from them.
This would, in turn, require a vast awareness programme to make people realise the benefits of having a single-point authentication that will override other traditional documentary identification mechanisms.
"We are talking about people who do not have any proof which can ensure them their rights. The UID number would be like a one-point clearance for all schemes," Shah added.
A UID number will also do away with different state rules for identification under schemes like state BPL cards for entitlement to ration under the food distribution system.
This would help identify and entitle migrant workers their benefits under various government schemes.
