by the UIDAI for data collection and enrollment of citizens. Further, the UID number will be embedded in new PAN cards, while earlier PAN cardholders will be sent a letter with their UID number.

For the Biometric PAN cards, tax authorities were planning to capture the fingerprints of four fingers of an individual—two from each hand; along with the face (with the eyes fully visible), the UIDI is expected to use only fingerprints.

Seven firms including Infosys, HCL, Tata Consultancy Services and its subsidiary CMC and Electronics Corporation of India Ltd, ITI and Bharat Electronics were shortlisted for the project.

In the initial years, the department plans to issue biometric PAN cards to new applicants and those seeking a re-issue. It would be extended to existing cardholders later. Nilekani has said that once all new applicants move to the UID-backed platform, existing PAN card holders can be given a specific timeframe of say, two years, to migrate.

The UID partners would be public and private service providers such as banks, insurance companies, hotels, airlines and other business. After registering with the UIDAI and making their computer systems compatible, business establishments can receive online confirmation of their customers’ UID number in a “yes” or “no” format.

Uday Lal Pai , udaylalpai@gmail.com, is a freelance journalist based in India.

Subscribe to Automation World's RSS Feeds for News