Bangalore’s date with UID is set for January 1

by DNA Daily News and Analysis
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_bangalore-s-date-with-uid-is-set-for-january-1_1448745

Bangaloreans can expect to have their Unique Identity (UID) numbers in January, 2011. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will be kickstarting the enrolment drive for issuing UID numbers on January 1, 2011. Citizens can receive their UIDs within a fortnight of the enrolment.

The department of e-governance would tie-up with the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to establish enrolment camps in various parts of the city, said MN Vidya Shankar, the principal secretary of the department, on Wednesday.

BangaloreOne centres would also be used for the enrolment process, he added.

However, the first batch of the UIDs in the state would be allotted in Mysore and Tumkur on Friday. Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa is expected to become the first citizen in the state to provide his biometric data for the enrolment of the UID.

The chief minister is slated to enrol for the programme at the Dasara Exhibition Grounds in Mysore at 10.15 am.
“We have already collected his passport and details for address proof,” said Vidya Shankar.

The enrolment process would simultaneously start in the villages of the state, he said.

However, DNA found that technically, energy minister Shobha Karandlaje would be the first citizen in Karnataka to register for UID number as the programme’s launch in Tumkur is scheduled to for 9.30 am on Friday.

Karandlaje, who is also the district in-charge minister for Tumkur, told DNA that she would request Siddaganga mutt pontiff Shivakumara Swamiji to be the first resident to enrol for the programme.

Karandlaje said that she was happy to be part of the launch of UID scheme as the project would help in the establishment of a foolproof mechanism for the delivery of government services.

Ashok Dalwai, deputy director general, UIDAI, said that by December-end, the authority would allot 59 lakh UIDs in Mysore and Tumkur districts. About 500 camps would be set up in the two districts for the programme.

“For the remaining 28 districts in the state, including Bangalore Urban, the enrolment process will begin on January 1, 2011 and the aim is to cover 90% of the residents in the state by December, 2011. About 6.3 crore UIDs will be allotted during this period,” said Dalwai.