ISSUE OF MULTI-PURPOSE NATIONAL IDENTITY CARDS TO CITIZENS WILL
SERVE A CREDIBLE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM - SAYS HOME MINISTRY REPORT
The Ministry of Home
Affairs in its Annual Report says a need has been felt for compulsory
registration of citizens, and non-citizens illegally residing
in the country. Therefore, issue of Multipurpose National Identity
Cards to Indian Citizens will serve a credible identification
system for multifarious socio-economic uses. This will also serve
as a reliable mechanism for identification of persons illegally
residing in the country and deterrence against future illegal
immigration.
In keeping with this
felt need, the Home Ministry entrusted preparation of a Detailed
Feasibility Study of National Identity Cards System in the country
to a professional consultancy firm. The scope of this study covered
all aspects relating to the feasibility of creating an identification
system for one billion people, streamlining of the machinery for
the registration of births and deaths at the Panchayat level and
institutional as well as technological options for creation of
an integrated database of personal identities capable of being
updated on-line for addition/deletion of approximately 27 million
births and deaths in the country every year. The Detailed Feasibility
Study Report received from the consultancy firm has been examined
in the Ministry. The Government will take up such a gigantic exercise
after an in-depth examination of all relevant issues and after
necessary preparations for launching the system. This will include
giving legislative backing to the whole system, the report added.
