India’s answer to America’s Social Security card:

Project AADHAAR – India’s Unique Identification Number (UID)

              In early 2009 Man Mohan Singh government started the process of allocating identification card to each and every resident Indian’s. As of now, I think there are more then 20 different proofs of ids accepted as official document.

             This is going to be one of the largest projects of its kind in the whole world. The project is lead by Ex-Infosys Chairman Mr. Nandan Nilekani. According to planetbiometrics.com, last week it was revealed that the three top bidding groups for the biometric solution for UID project were Accenture, Mahindra Satyam (in consortium with Morpho) and L-1 Identity Solutions.

            Accenture is believed to have quoted the lowest price with a transaction cost of Rs. 2.75 per record, and the two vendors who were next in the line have been asked to match this rate. Tentative date for the project to go live is 12^th August of this year. Although first UID’s were issued to the tribal people of Tembhli village of Maharashtra's Nandurbar district on September 29^th.

            I am being very optimistic here, but just imagine how much corruption would be eliminated. All the benefits of the government programs for the ‘not-so-privileged’ people will finally reach them. No more ‘Lalu’s Fodder scam’!! I know corruption in India is like water, that will eventually find its way, but you have to at least agree on the fact that UID will certainly have a positive effect on the countries finances.