UIDAI to start issuing identification numbers in Feb

CHANDIGARH: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) said on Thursday that it would start issuing the 16-digit number to each resident of the country in February 2011.

We would start issuing the unique identification numbers (UIN) in February 2011. These numbers would be allotted on the basis of 11 biometrics including 10 fingerprints and iris, UIDAI Chairman Nandan Nilekani said here after a meeting with Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

The UIDAI would not allot any card, but 16-digit numbers, said Nilekani, who is on a visit to the state to discuss the UIN issue.

There would be eight regional offices of UIDAI and each such office would cover two-three states, he said.

Meanwhile, Hooda assured all help of the state government to the UIDAI and said the state level unit would function under financial commissioner and principal secretary (tourism) Keshni Anand Arora to allot UIN to Haryana residents.