Unique identification number helps poor people, says Nilekani

Mumbai, Mar 20 : The Unique Identification Data Authority of India (UIDAI) chairman Nandan Nilekani on Saturday said the unique identification number would help poor to access and benefit from government schemes with more ease.

The unique identification number, the UPA government's one of the ambitious projects is expected to be rolled out in 2011.

"This project is pro-poor and inclusive and targeted mainly towards the poor. The middle class and the rich have some form of identity. People on the margins are getting lost because of lack of identity,' Nilekani said.

He said the project aims at providing a robust system to eliminate duplicate and fake identities.

"Exclusion of the poor from the mainstream is mainly due to lack of identity and the UID will help them to get all sorts of benefits,' Nilekani said.

"UID is not just a number but a passport that opens many doors,' he added.