ID project to help the poor: PM

Attaching high priority to Unique Identification project, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said lack of identity proof results in harassment and denial of services to the poor and led to leakages in various government programmes.

Chairing the first meeting of the 11-member council formed to advise the newly created Unique Identification Authority of India (UIAI), he said, the project will specifically improve delivery of flagship schemes of the Centre.

Pointing out that his government attaches "high priority" to this project, which is being headed by former Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, the Prime Minister said, "lack of identity proof results in harassment and denial of services to the poor and marginalised."

He said lack of identity proof results in leakages in various programmes for the welfare of the poor.

Singh said providing identities to poor and marginalised will enhance their access to government services both in the state and at the Centre and will enable delivery of benefits to poor and under-served.

He emphasised the need for "active participation" of all the departments of the government, both at the state and central level for the success of the project, which was both unique and challenging, a PMO statement said.

The meeting was attended by Union Ministers Pranab Mukherjee, Veerappa Moily, C P Joshi, Kapil Sibal and Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia among others.