In a country of more than a billion people, and one with porous borders, the Unique Identification project is one that is of significant national importance, and one which Infosys chief mentor, Narayan Murthy rates to be at par with Sam Pitroda’s telecom project. It is then perhaps fitting that this project has been assigned to Nandan Nilekani, co-founder, Infosys Technologies. The first corporate CEO to perhaps get a cabinet minister’s rank and status in the UPA, Nilekani has been appointed as the chairperson of the Unique Identification Authority of India.

The project is transformational in nature, as it will help the government govern and monitor the efficiency and reach of many important projects. For instance, a unique number for people below the poverty line can help in tackling embezzlement and in ensuring that the benefits reach the concerned people. Simultaneously, it can even help in establishing the citizenship of an individual and reducing illegal immigration into the country.

Grandiose in design, and estimated to be close to Rs 100 crore, the project aims at providing each Indian a unique biometric identity card. The identification number will also help in eliminating the need for multiple identifications such as PAN cards, election identification cards and driving licenses.

With one of the most powerful torch bearers of the industry given the mandate to drive a significant national project, leaders from the Indian industry have been naturally jubilant. Said Som Mittal, President, NASSCOM, “The Unique ID project is a transformational project for the country as it will overlay many underlying projects and create huge efficiencies for the country.” Mittal said that this initiative will help in overhauling and directing the delivery mechanism for public goods and services to intended beneficiaries.

Similarly, CII welcomed the decision of allocating a unique identification number to the citizens of India and completing the process by 2011 for every citizen. Said Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII, “This move will bestow the benefits of Information Technology to the common man and will also help establish citizenship, thus enhancing security at various levels. This would further bring transparency in different delivery channels and help in mapping diverse requirements of the nation.”