Banks for inclusion of customer data on MNIC

ATM cards, credit and debit cards in the wallet may be a thing of the past if the government agrees to a proposal by banks to embed customer information into the proposed multipurpose national identity card (MNIC) being tested currently.

According to Shamlal Goyal, director, Office of the Registrar General of India, MHA, banks want to explore the possibility of incorporating information pertaining to account holders onto the card.

Another government official clued into the development said: "Once customer information is burnt onto the MNIC chip, there will be no need to carry assorted cards that a customer now does."

The MNIC will replace all the cards that your wallet now holds.

The MNIC pilot project, which is underway under the aegis of the Office of the Registrar General of India, was kicked off by the MHA about six months ago in 13 states "" Jammu & Kashmir, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Punjab, Gujarat, Goa and Rajasthan "" as part of the overall exercise to strengthen the internal security.

Data of about 31 lakh individuals (15 years and above) is being collected from 24 sub-districts spread over 13 districts of these states to prepare a population register.

The register will be continuously updated by linking it to the registration of births and deaths carried out under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969.

This card will gradually replace the photo identity card issued by the Election Commission.

The MNIC is being issued free of cost. It will carry photograph of the citizen as well as his/her fingerprint impression (biometric).

The embedded smart chip on the card will carry personal information pertaining to the citizen in two languages. It will also hold information pertaining to health, driving licence, family income, etc.