PM heads Unique Identification Authority of India council

The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government has set up a council headed by prime ministry Manmohan Singh to advice the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and ensure coordination between the ministries, stakeholders and partners.

The members of the council include: finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, minister of agriculture, food and civil supplies, consumer affairs and public distribution Sharad Pawar, home minister P Chidambaram, external affairs minister S M Krishna, Law minister M Veerappa Moily, human resources development minister Kapil Sibal, rural development and panchayati raj miniser CP Joshi, Labour minister Mallikarjun Kharge, communications and information technology minister A Raja, planning commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani.

The Council will advice the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on the programme, methodology and implementation to ensure coordination between ministries/departments, stakeholders and partners, a government release said, adding that the council will also identify specific milestones for early completion of the project.

The authority is tasked with creating a database that will help in issuing unique identity cards. The issue of the unique ID cards would avert the need for multiple proofs of identity for citizens while availing any government service, or for private needs like opening bank accounts or seeking telephone connections.

It is also expected to enhance national security by helping to identify illegal immigrants.

Nandan Nilekani was personally selected by prime minister Manmohan Singh to head the project with the rank of a cabinet minister.