Meghalaya CM urges to roll out ID cards 

Shillong, Aug 27 : Chief Minister DD Lapang today asked the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIAI) to roll out the Unique Identity numbers in Meghalaya to check the influx of the illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. 

Mr Nilekani, Chairman of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIAI), briefed the chief minister at New Delhi about the objective of the ambitious project. 

''The chief minister requested Nilekani to start the process of allotting the unique identification cards from the districts along the Indo-Bangla border in the state to check infiltration of the immigrants,'' adviser to Meghalaya Chief Minister Anish Gandhi told media. 

Mr Lapang also assured full cooperation to Mr Nilekani to Implement the ambitious project in Meghalaya. 

The UIAI Chairman informed the chief minister that it would take at least 18 months for the UIAI to roll out the unique identification numbers. 

Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Mukul M Sangma, later, said this unique number would be used by the Meghalaya United Alliance coalition government for all the flagship development programmes. 

''We will ensure that the benefits of the scheme reaches the common people and the same could be used for schools too,'' Dr Sangma said. 

The unique ID number will not be a substitute for other existing numbers a person may have which includes PAN, passport number, ration number. 

The ID cards will also cover children and help in establishing citizenship, reducing identity related frauds, addressing security issues and prevent leakages in different government schemes.