Nandan Nilekani explains the objectives of the UID scheme and its challenges

The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government has fulfilled its promise to introduce the unique identification (UID) scheme after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi distributed the first 10 UID numbers, or Aadhaar, in Tembhali village of Nandurbar district in Maharashtra last week. In an interview with Sanjay Jog, Unique Identification Authority of India Chairman Nandan Nilekani explains the objectives of the UID scheme and its challenges.

UID, or Aadhaar, is a reality now with its launch at Nandurbar. Can you take us through the journey so far?

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) had made a commitment to roll out the first set of numbers between August 2010 and February 2011. We are happy to have achieved this in September 2010.

The challenges ahead are enormous and we need to concentrate on effective implementation now.

Text: Business Standard

Image: Wikimedia Commons