No compromise with security due to issue of Aadhaar cards: Ashwani Kumar

NEW DELHI: The security of the country will not be compromised by issue of Aadhaar cards for the people, as this does not confer right of citizenship to anyone including illegal migrants, Rajya Sabha was informed today.

"Aadhaar does not confer citizenship nor does it by itself confer right of citizenship for illegal migrants, which will be determined by the relevant statutory and implementing authorities.

"Hence, compromise of national security due to enrolments under the UID project does not arise," the Minister of State for Planning, Ashwani Kumar, said in a written reply.

He said a total of 12.81 crore Aadhaar numbers have been generated as on February 1, 2012. The government has also approved an additional enrolment of 40 crore residents in the country.

Aadhaar card provides a 12-digit Unique Identification (UID) number to the country's citizens and is also aimed at improving delivery of public services.

The Unique Identification Authority of India which lays down plans and implements policies for UID scheme has partnered with various state, central, private and public sector agencies for enrolment of residents and development of Aadhaar enabled applications, the minister said.

The government has approved Rs 8,814.75 crore for Phase- III of the project up to March, 2017, Kumar said adding this would subsume the approval of Rs 3,023.01 crore accorded for Phase-II of the project.

However, he said allocation of Rs 1,758 crore for 2012-13 will not be sufficient and depending upon the progress additional allocation will be sought.