What is the future of Unique Identification in India?
The nation is envisioning the effectuation of the Multipurpose National Identity Card or Unique Identification card (UID Card) project by 2011. The card will possess a unique identification number which each Indian citizen will carry as a permanent identifier from birth to death that also contains biometric data and photographs. The permanent identifier which will also cover children, will help in at establishing citizenship, reducing identity related frauds, addresses security issues and prevent leakages in different government schemes.
However, other reports claim that obtaining a unique number would be voluntary, but those that opt to stay out of the system "will find it very inconvenient: they will not have access to facilities that require you to cite your ID number".
As the unique identity database comes into existence, the usual identity databases including passports, ration cards, licenses, fishing permits, border area id cards that already exist in India are supposed to be connected to it. The ambitious plan of unique identification has been allocated Rs 100 crore in the interim budget of 2009-10.[Courtesy: Wikipedia and a few other sites]
The plan seems to be accomplishable. But the data has to be accurate and the details should be updated on a regular basis. Updation is an issue. I applied for Voter's ID two years back when I was 19 and I'm yet to receive it. I was keen on voting in this Lokh Sabha election but was not given a chance. Even my grandparents names where not on the list to vote. May be these were all petty denials.
Talking about uniqueness, I had a vague idea on my mind about the future of Biometric identification. When I first watched the movie 'Minority Report' I thought 'this is it'. Iris & Retinal recognition . But in the later part of the movie Tom Cruise undergoes an eye transplant in order to change his identity. Oh, man!. Still there're other limitations in this technique.
Later I heard about 3-D infrared facial recognition system. It's supposed to be a more sophisticated and promising approach. I read an article about it. It's a tedious thing to explain. But I can guess for myself. It'll be about the geometric measurements and texture analysis of the facial parts.
Anyway let the future of Unique Identification yield greater security and prevent identity scams for a better India. Since the agency UIDAI is going to create new jobs and business oppurtunities it'll be received most gladly.
By the way Happy Independence Day:)
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