NEW DELHI: The Union Home Ministry is preparing a Cabinet note to launch Multipurpose National Identity Cards (MNICs) based on the national register of Indian citizens. Top sources said a draft note has been sent for the approval of Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is likely to take a final call soon.
“After Home Minister’s comment the final Cabinet note will be prepared which may take a week’s time,” sources said.
An officer privy to the development said each MNIC will cost approximately `35 to the government exchequer. This includes the cost incurred during entire process from registering the citizen, collecting biometrics to delivering the card at the doorstep. He said the MNIC will be the most credible identification document for a citizen and it can be used to receive benefits under social welfare schemes as it would improve e-governance.
The card will be prepared by a central public undertaking and it will carry at least 16 details of an individual and a unique national identity number for each citizen. After delivering the card in the first phase, the Home Ministry will continue working on phase-2 to update the database through the system of registration of births and deaths.
“The entire process would be handled by a central public sector undertaking to make it robust and secure. Home Minister is of the view that the proposed plan will be more reliable, robust and citizen friendly. The Cabinet note will also suggest that entire data generation and enrolment task be given to National Population Register under the Home Ministry,” he said.
Officials informed the Home Minister about a MNIC pilot project, which the Home Ministry had carried out in the select districts of 13 states.