Biometric data collection starts in Shimla
Shimla: Delays in engaging vendors for enrolling resident under biometric UID program notwithstanding, Himachal Pradesh could perhaps be one of the first states to provide unique identifications to all as the job is targeted to be completed by May, 2012.
With capturing of biometric data and issuing of UID cards already underway in three of the four zones that the state has been divided for the program, in Shimla zone it was launched today. Elsewhere by end of May, already 7.48 lakh (10.91 %) people have been registered.
In Mandi, Kangra and Hamirpur zones enrollment is picking up fast and the pricing problems in Shimla zone has been sorted out and UID registrations were launched in the city today,†said Rajneesh Kumar, director information technology. Over 100 data capturing centres would be opened in Sirmaur, Solan and Kinnaur that make up the zone soon, he added.
Consisting of Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu and Mandi districts, Wipro is undertaking data collection in Mandi Zone, in Chamba and Kangra districts under Kangra Zone and Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur and Kinnaur districts in Shimla zone the vendor doing the UID project is the Madurai base I Grande company and in Hamirpur, Una and Bilaspur districts of Hamirpur zone the job has been assigned to ILFS company.
Target for providing all the 68.56 lakh people recorded in the provisional 2011 census data has been set up as May, 2012 but where the project was rolled out earlier, like in Hamirpur zone, the completion target is December, 2011, said Rajneesh.
Parallel to rolling out the project, the government has already begun to tie up welfare programs based on authenticated identification for ensuring that the targeted subsidies reach the right person.
In Una district, where the UID enrollment is nearing completion, plans are afoot to issue ration cards based on the UID number for containing pilferages in the public distribution system (PDS).
The subsidized rations being distributed through the PDS system will be given to the targeted person only on biometric verification of the beneficiary, said the official.
Where ever an internet connection is available, the biometric verification would be conducted online and where there is no connectivity, biometric data of the concerned beneficiaries would be stored on computers at the disbursing PDS centre, the official explained.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.
