Consolidation of various cards & numbers

Sub: Consolidation of various cards & numbers. Concerned Ministry: Home

Sir,

We are passing thru a time when many data bases are being consolidated and/or put in de-materialized form. Like insurance policies, share certificates, KYC etc. One of the areas where this exercise required is also the various cards & ID proof one has to manage. Safe keeping of all these cards individual and maintenance of separate data abases by different Govt. agencies is a not only leading to inefficiency but also having a huge cost involved in it. When UID was launched it was meant to function as multi utility card for various purposes. However, it is observed that so many other types of cards & numbers for individuals still continue to be in vogue and have the potential to be replaced with a single UID to create a strong all India data base e.g.

a) Election I card,
b) Driving License,
c) Below Poverty Card,
d) Smart Card – National Health Scheme
e) Permanent Account Number,
f) PPF/PF No.
g) Gas connection number,
h) Tax Identification Number,
i) Pensioner Card
j) Passport Number
k) Bank Account Number
l) Debit Card Number

Issue of separate cards by several agencies is not only leading to duplication of work but also allowing suspicions persons to maintain multiple identities. For example the driving license issuing authority can easily be aligned with the job of issuing UID cards having a mention that person is authorized to drive the vehicle, thereby obviating the need for issuing a separate UID card by National UID Authority. Similarly many other departments can also align their activities like this. In times to come the even PAN of individuals may be replaced with UID, thereby saving the public from hassles of obtaining it. The UID must be necessarily mentioned on all the certificates & mark sheets issued by school & boards.

Conceptually & technically it is very much feasible that all the Govt authorities access one data bank and avoid issuing multiple cards. This will not only greatly facilitate handling of one single cards by an individual but also would have a significant impact on costs associated with issuing the UID. This will also help spreading the UID to public speedily.

With addition of each information there should be a provision to print updated version of UID by the relevant department.

This consolidation can greatly help in controlling tax evasion & also help in security issues.

The live example of such single data bank is the D-Mat account for buying & selling the securities, the companies all over India access to a unique data-bank of d-mat account for contacting the account holder be it dividend distribution or report sending or any other thing. The account holder only has to update the change at one place and all companies can have online access to updated record.

Likewise, any department updating the information about any individual will be doing it at the central data bank and all the other user departments can have access to latest updated record.

To spread it speedily quoting UID must be made mandatory for any transaction with Govt Department like:
i) Registration under NAREGA,
ii) Transfer of vehicle,
iii) Property Registration new & old,
iv) Issue of birth certificate,
v) Enrollment with school/college,
vi) Issue of insurance policy,
vii) Purchase of new vehicle,
viii) Application for any public sector job,
ix) Dealing with any tax department,
x) Apply for water, electricity, gas & telephone connection,
xi) Issue of pensioner card,
xii) Opening of bank account,

Request that consolidation of various types of cards be done for greater system efficiency, convenience and control in long run.

Citizen’s reporter:
S K Goyal
cwaskg@gmail.com