UID pilot project takes off in Karnataka

It may take a while for the ambitious unique identity (UID) project to a nationwide rollout. But Karnataka, which has been chosen for a pilot project is working along the same lines. CNBC-TV18's Sunanda Jayaseelan reports.

The Karnataka government is working on a unique identity project that is on the same lines as what is being planned nationally under the leadership of Nandan Nilekani. It plans to earmark Rs 1800 crore for this project to attract IT companies to work free of cost on the state governments project. CNBC-TV18 learns that so far 14 IT companies including IBM, TCS , Wipro , Intel , HP and Sun Microsystems have signed agreements with the state government and are to start work soon. Most companies chose not to respond to email queries sent by CNBC-TV18. Sun microsystems however said "Yes, we have been approached and we are in the discussion stage but it's too early to comment on anything right now." The e-governance department of the state government says that more IT companies will be included in the pilot thanks to the overwhelming response it has received for the companies. It means it is an opportunity to develop and cut their teeth on technology which they could use once the UID project is rolled out

MN Vidyashankar, Principal Secretary, E-Governance Department said that the companies have evinced interest. We have shared the databases pertaining to residents of the selected constituencies. This pertains to assign a unique identity for select constituencies may take two months to wrap up. The framework or set of guidelines really is expected by end of Oct 2009. The UID authority is reportedly planning on setting up a national data base centre in Bangalore. It is also reportedly scouting for a company to undertake testing and validation both of which are expected to be finalised before the framework is announced.