`UID model is only as good as its application`

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Nearly a year after he was appointed chairman of the Unique Identification Authority, Nandan Nilekani speaks to Nistula Hebbar on the experience so far and just when the first numbers will be rolled out.Right off the bat, when are we going to see the roll out of the first Unique Indentification (UID) numbers?We've already said that the roll out will be between August 2010 and February 2011 and we are keeping to that timetable. In the meanwhile we have finalised our draft strategy—we've set up standards of biometrics, data verification and set up teams and almost finalised out main software vendor. Proof of Concepts (POC) studies are on in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and will start in Bihar soon.What is Proof of Concepts?In this we test the basic concepts, like how much time does it take to get a retina scan done, how much for all 10 fingers to get imprinted, what amount of light is required for a clear photograph to be taken etc. After these initial studies are done we will finalise some of the design parameters.The UID was basically supposed to be just an authentication and verification system, now you seem to have expanded the concept into one of financial inclusion?It is true that this was meant to be an authentication system, but as we went into the concept of things we realised that the UID could be a platform for a lot of different things, one of which was financial inclusion where identity issues are crucial. The model is only as good as its application. We feel that since the UID is not compulsory, more and more applications will draw people in to the system.Basically the project has two parts, enrollment and application, both driving each other. The new name for the project Aadhar or base or platform encapsulates this.This will provide a base for a lot of applications, and bankers and others have evinced interest in these applications. We are aiming at bringing down transaction costs significantly as well as the whole idea of financial inclusion.Communicating the idea of the project to the people at large has been a big part of your job. What was the most difficult thing to explain?Without a doubt, the toughest thing to explain had been the fact that the UID was a number and not a card. It took some doing but now I feel that people have managed to wrap their heads around this idea. We are so used to the idea of an identification card, a real physical thing to carry around that this was a little difficult to explain.Other than that, I am asked a lot of questions on privacy of data. We have assured everyone that the very design of the UID database is such that it protects any data, and strict encryption will also be done. We are also coming out with a set of guidelines and best practices for all our registrars for the protection of data.You have been a government employee for nearly a year now. What has been your experience so far vis a vis the corporate world, in terms of the style of working?One major thing that I have found is that in government you have to take everyone along with you if you want ideas to have even a chance of being successful. In the corporate sector, you have a board which you need to convince and if you carry a numerical majority, everyone has to fall in line.In government the style is more consensual, also of course because of the scale of things. I have had meetings with a huge number of people and have had a great deal of cooperation from everyone, from the Prime Minister to chief ministers and RBI. Civil society groups, which are dispersed and diffused also need to be taken along. It takes a while to get this consensus together, but one's concepts are clearer because of that.

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