Unique identity cards to all citizens by 2011: Chidambaram

September 18th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Home Minister P.Chidambaram said here on Friday that, his ministry has initiated a project to bring all the over 16,000 police stations in the country under a single network to counter terror challenges. Inaugurating a conference on small entrepreneurship Chidambaram said, the project, which would attract an estimated cost of Rs 2,000 crore, would be operational by 2012.

September 9th, 2009 MUMBAI - Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) chief Nandan Nilekani said on Wednesday that at least 60 crore people would get their identity cards in next five years. "We expect to give Unique Identification Numbers (UIDs) to at least 600 million citizens in the next 4-5-years.

July 28th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The UPA Government on Tuesday said that it is yet to take a decision on issuing national Identity cards to usual residents in the country. Addressing the Parliament, Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Maken told the Lok Sabha in a written reply that based on the experience of the pilot project on multi- purpose National Identity Card, the Government has proposed to create a National Population Register (NPR) in the country along with 2011 census.

July 15th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has assured to extend full cooperation to the newly formed National Authority for Unique Identity (NAUI) in the compilation and classification of nationwide data of citizens for the proposed exclusive identification cards. This was disclosed by Petroleum Minister Murli Deora after Nandan Nilekani, Chairman of the NAUI called on him here on Tuesday.

July 13th, 2009 BANGALORE - The newly designated chief of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIAI), Nandan Nilekani, called on Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Monday before leaving for New Delhi. Speaking about his new task, Nilekani said that his prime issue would be to ensure prevention of any duplication of the national ID cards.

July 8th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Government will issue smart Identity Cards (IDs) to all the usual residents of nine costal states and four union territories as a measure to ensure security in coastal areas following Mumbai terror attacks. Nine coastal states are Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal and four union territories are Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicorbar Islands and Puducherry.

July 8th, 2009 NEW DELHI - About 120,000 residents of 3,331 coastal villages will be given identity cards in the first phase of a scheme that will eventually cover the entire country, the Rajya Sabha was informed Wednesday. "In nine states and four union territories, we have identified 3,331 coastal villages where identity cards will be distributed to all usual residents over the age of 18," Home Minister P.

July 6th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said that the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will establish an online database with identity and biometric details of Indian residence and provide enrolment and verification services across the country. Presenting the budget proposals for the year 2009-10 in Lok Sabha, Mukherjee said: "The first set of unique identity numbers will be rolled out in 12 to 18 months.

June 25th, 2009 NEW DELHI J - The Union Cabinet has appointed the Infosys Chief Nandan Nilekani as the Chairman of National Authority for Unique Identity. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni said the new authority will function under the planning commission, and Nilekani will be enjoying cabinet tatus.

June 13th, 2009 CHENNAI - Home Minister and senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram Saturday said the party will emerge stronger in the 2011 assembly elections in Tamil Nadu as well as the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

May 12th, 2009 AHMEDABAD - Rising illegal immigration from neighbouring Bangladesh is posing the biggest threat to India's national security, Minister of State for Home Sriparakash Jaiswal said Tuesday. 'The Indian government is already working towards introducing the multi-purpose national identity card for every citizen and would ensure that all the citizens possess a card within a span of the next four years,' he said at the valedictory function of a two-day international conference on security and identity management-2009, organised by the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad here.

May 4th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Haven't got an electors' photo identity card? Use your alternative photo identity proof and vote in Delhi May 7 for the Lok Sabha elections. According to the Delhi chief electoral office, there are over 1.6 million people in the national capital who have not received their photo identity cards.

April 6th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Election Commission has made arrangements for proxy voting by defence personnel, Deputy Election Commissioner J.P. Prakash said here Monday.

March 15th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Lal Krishan Advani on Saturday said that the National Democratic Alliance would enact multi-purpose national identity cards mandatory for citizens of the country, if voted to power. Citing security being the main concern behind the need to make national identity cards mandatory, Advani pointed out the increasing infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals into the country, particularly in the northeast, as he unveiled the IT Vision Document of the party for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

January 26th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The home ministry Tuesday said it would be providing two boats to the administration of Andaman and Nicobar Islands on priority basis under the coastal security scheme. 'Two boats will be delivered to them in April.