Question : ISSUANCE OF MULTIPURPOSE NATIONAL IDENTITY CARDS

(a) whether the Government proposes to issue Multipurpose National Identity Cards (MNIC)/Unique Identity Card to the citizens of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the process of `Social Vetting` by Gram Sabhas and Ward Committee are likely to be used for MNIC and no other documents of proof would be required for the process;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government has formulated any plan for the successful and foolproof implementation of the project and to prevent its misuse; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the total funds likely to be incurred in this regard?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI AJAY MAKEN)

(a) to (f): The Government has decided to create a National Population Register (NPR) in the country by collecting information on specific characteristics of each ‘usual resident’. The field work of biographic data collection in the country has been completed. The NPR would also have photographs, 10 finger prints and IRIS of all ‘usual resident’ who are of age 15 years and above. The IRIS would also be collected for persons of 5 to 15 years of age. The NPR database would be sent to Unique indentification Authrority of India (UIDAI) for de-duplication and issue of Unique ID Numbers.Identity cards are proposed to be issued to ‘usual residents’ of the country who are of age 18 years and above.

Issues regarding the process of authentication, social vetting by Gram Sabhas and Ward Committees for usual resident status as declared in the National Population Register (NPR) has been finalized after having discussed with the State Governments/UT Administration. The National Population Register

(NPR) is a Register of Usual Residents. It would contain citizens as well as non-citizens. The objective of creating a NPR is to net all usual residents of the country at a given point of time.

Further, the list of ‘usual residents’ would be published in local areas and placed in Gram Sabha/Ward Committee for invitation of objections and claims. The claims and objections would be looked into by revenue officials like Patwari or Talati who act as the Local Registrars, Tehsildars, who are designated as Sub-district Registrars and the Collectors/ DMs who are designated as District Registrars. However, this does not preclude the raising of claims/ objections by law enforcement agencies or by the Registrars suo moto. In sensitive areas, State/UT Governments could take up additional measures for verification and will be free to involve the local Police Stations or the Village Chowkidars in the process of verification. The resident identity (smart) cards shall also contain desclaimer that the card does not confer any right to citizenship to the card holder. The Cabinet has approved the scheme of creation of NPR for the country at an estimated cost of Rs. 3539.24 crore.