Duplication of work between UIDAI and NPR.
The government is in a tight spot over finding a solution to avoid duplication of work in collection of biometrics of citizens by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for Aadhaar numbers and the Census office for the National Population Register (NPR).
As a part of the three options on which ministries have been asked to give their suggestions, the proposal to allow the UIDAI to be the sole authority for collecting biometrics for Aadhaar numbers and the NPR work is under ‘active consideration’. “The UIDAI might be allowed to do the biometric work in coordination with the NPR, based on its requirements,” a senior government official associated with the whole process told Business Standard. After assimilation of comments, the issue would be put up before the Cabinet for a final decision, he said.
| BIOMETRIC TUSSLE Options under consideration: 1. UIDAI to collect biometric records for both Aadhar and NPR work 2. UIDAI and NPR to continue with collection of biometric data separately 3. UIDAI to use biometric records from NPR for Aadhar numbers |
The second option is to allow both the UIDAI and the NPR system to collect biometrics separately in accordance with their requirements. This, however, would mean duplication and extra cost to the exchequer. Under the third option, the NPR system would gather biometrics and pass it on to the UIDAI for Aadhaar cards. This option may be time-taking. It would also impact the UIDAI’s plans in a major way, if it is stopped from collecting biometrics.
The UIDAI has already enrolled more than 110 million people for Aadhaar numbers. Under the first phase of the project, it is to enroll 200 million citizens by March 2012. The project aims to provide about 600 million unique identification numbers by 2014.
There has to be a clarity on whether the UIDAI will be allowed to collect biometrics after reaching the figure of 200 million, as the NPR has expressed reservations about using the UIDAI data.
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The NPR, too, has the mandate to provide biometric-based identity cards. According to the earlier understanding, the NPR would share its data with the UID authority and vice-versa, but the Registrar General of India has refused to use the UIDAI data.
While the finance ministry has cleared a budget of over Rs 8,500 crore for the Aadhaar project, the estimated cost involved in the NPR is Rs 3,500 crore.