Question : UID PROJECT

(a) the total estimated cost of the Unique Identification Project for providing UID number to all residents in India;

(b) the fiscal outlay for the project during the current financial year;

(c) whether any pre-feasibility study or cost benefit analysis was done before the notification for creation of UDAI was issued on 28-01-2009;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) the manner in which UDAI seek to make a distinction between citizens and residents;

(f) whether the system is likely to confer quasi citizenship on illegal immigrants;

(g) if so, the response of the government thereto;

(h) whether United States of America, United Kingdom, Australia, China, Pakistan, Canada and Germany have abandoned UID projects; and

(i) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)

(a) to (i): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to
(i) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.344 REGARDING UID PROJECT RAISED BY SHRI MANISH TEWARI AND DR. RAGHUVANSH PRASAD SINGH TO BE ANSWERED ON 18-08-2010

(a) & (b): The estimated cost of Phase-I and Phase-II of the UID Projects is Rs.3170.31 crore spread over five years from 2009-10 to 31st March, 2014. The commencement of Phase-II of the UID scheme has been approved at an estimated cost of Rs.3023.01 crore. Of this, an amount of Rs.477.11 crore would be towards recurring establishment expenditure and Rs.2545.90 crore would be towards non-recurring project related expenditure. The estimated cost includes project components for issue of 10 crore UID numbers by March 2011 and recurring establishment costs for the entire project phase of five year ending March, 2014.

The total outlay for the current financial year 2010-11 is Rs.1900.00 crore. Detailed Project Report to assess the total estimated cost of the project is expected to be ready shortly.

(c) & (d): An Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) which was constituted in December, 2006 deliberated on the issues of collation of National Population Register and the Unique Identification Number for BPL families. It decided that a Unique Identification Authority of India be constituted under the Planning Commission and be made responsible for implementing the project which would aim at better targeting of welfare services, improving efficiency of the services and better governance. The benefits accruing out of the project should far out- weigh the cost of the project.

(e) to (g): The mandate of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is to issue Unique Identification numbers to all the residents. The number will only prove identity and not be a proof of citizenship or domicile.

(h) &(i): A number of countries have various forms of identity systems based on the country-specific needs. The motivation and rationale for identity systems in different countries are specific to the country and cannot be generalized.

The UID project in India has been envisioned to provide a unique identity to every resident of India which will be the foundation for better delivery of public services and targeted subsidies. The project has a basis in the developmental agenda of promoting more inclusive growth.