Question : MULTIPURPOSE NATIONAL IDENTITY CARDS MNICS

(a) the details of the areas in thirteen States/UTs which have been covered under the pilot project on Multipurpose National Identity Cards (MNICs) scheme initiated in April, 2003 alongwith the status of the project as on date;

(b) the basis for selecting these areas under the pilot project;

(c) the details of States/places contemplated to be covered by the scheme in the subsequent phase and its time-frame;

(d) whether any steps have been initiated to ensure that the MNICs are not issued to illegal migrants;

(e) if so, the details thereof;

(f) whether the work relating to preparation of National Register of citizens has been started by the Government; and

(g) if so, the details thereof alongwith the steps taken for its computerisation?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS ( SHRI S. REGUPATHY)


(a) to (g): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.


LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No.222

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.222 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 7TH MARCH,2006


(a): The pilot project is under implementation in selected sub-districts of 12 States and one Union Territory viz. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Pondicherry. The details of the areas selected for issue of Multipurpose National Identity Cards (MNICs) in these States/UT are annexed.


The baseline survey of population involved including the integration of photographs and finger biometrics has been completed. The task of verification of citizenship status has also been completed for 59 percent of the population being covered under the project, excluding Assam. The physical infrastructure facilities and manpower required at each MNIC centre are in place.


(b): The areas for the pilot project were selected taking into account various factors such as proximity to the border, good birth & death registration system and the possibility of integration with the already existing data base etc.


(c):The Government propose to implement the scheme in the entire country after completing the pilot project and after having tested the feasibility of processes and technologies involved.


(d) & (e): The identity cards would be issued to the Indian citizens after determining citizenship of each individual enumerated in the pilot project.


(f) & (g): The preparation of National Register of Citizens would begin with the decision on the national roll-out of the pilot project.
LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No.222

ANNEXURE
AREAS SELECTED FOR THE PILOT PROJECT

SI.	State	District	Sub-district
No.
1.	Jammu & Kathua	Bilawar	Kashmir	(All Tahsils)	Hiranagar	Basohli	Kathua
2.	Gujarat	Kachchh	Lakhpat
3.	Uttranchal	Pithoragarh	Pithoragarh Tahsil
4.	Raiasthan	Jaisalmer	Jaisalmer Tahsil
5.	Uttar Pradesh	Maharaiganj	Nowtanva Tahsil
6.	Assam	Karimganj	Pathankardi Revenue Circle
7.	Andhra	Medak	Narsarpur	Pradesh	Hathnoor	Jinnara	Kowdipalle	Shiwampet
8.	West Bengal	Murshidabad	Murshidabad-Jiaganj CD Block	Murshidabad MC
9.	Tripura	West Tripura	Agartala East Tahsil	1.(a) Agartala Sheet No. 13-24	Agartala West Tehsil	l.(b) Agartala Sheet No.1-12	Lankamura Tahsil	1. Singerbil	2. Lankamur	Barjala Tahsil	I. Ramnagar	2. Barjala	Indiranagar Tahsil	1. Indiranagar	2. Kunjaban
10.	Tamil Nadu	Ramanathapuram	Tiruvadanai Taluka
11.	Goa	North Goa	Tiswadi Taluka
12.	Pondicherry	Pondicherry	Karaikal Sub- Taluka
13.	Delhi	North-West	Narela Tahsil	District	Village Pooth Khurd (CT)