The Union Cabinet on Friday approved the proposed National Identification Authority of India Bill, 2010, which envisages the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) as a statutory body. The Bill will now be introduced in Parliament for approval.
The Bill proposes to constitute a statutory authority to be called the National Identification Authority of India and lays down the powers and functions of the authority, the framework for issuing unique identification (Aadhaar) numbers, major penalties and other related matters, through an Act of Parliament.
The project would involve an expenditure of Rs 3,023.1 crore, which included project components for issue of UID numbers by March 2011, and recurring establishment costs for the entire project phase of five years ending March 2014, a release said.
The draft National Identification Authority of India Bill, 2010, proposes a slew of penalties on offences including impersonation, giving wrong biometrics and unauthorised access to data, with the highest punishment being a Rs 1-crore fine and three years of imprisonment. Among the major offences mentioned in the draft Bill is the attempt to impersonate another person by providing any false demographic information or biometric information.
This offence shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and with a fine of up to Rs 10,000, or both.
Apart from providing identity, the Aadhaar numbers would enable better delivery of services and effective governance, the release added.
