THE INDIAN EXPRESS EXCLUSIVE
Cabinet offer for Nandan Nilekani
P Vaidyanathan Iyer
Posted: Monday, Jun 22, 2009 at 0101 hrs IST
Updated: Monday, Jun 22, 2009 at 0101 hrs IST
New Delhi: In what will be a coup for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is considering getting Nandan Nilekani, co-chairman, Infosys Technologies Ltd, India’s second largest software company, into his team. Though he will not be given the charge of a particular department or a ministry, he will be offered a Cabinet minister’s rank.
According to highly placed sources, Nilekani is seen as best suited to nurture the ambitious project of providing every Indian a unique identity card. The Congress manifesto for the 2009 general elections had said such a project is possible once the national population register is published in 2011. Besides addressing security issues, the UID project will overhaul the delivery mechanism in the country and ensure that public goods and services are delivered to intended beneficiaries.
Earlier, Nilekani’s candidature was discussed for the position of a member with the rank of a minister of state in the Planning Commission.
But given the scale and magnitude of the Unique ID project, it is now being seen within the UPA that a professional of Nilekani’s stature and caliber can only it through. When contacted, Nilekani said he did want to comment on this issue. “I do not want to get into this,” he told The Indian Express. But sources said Nilekani did discuss the project, and his eagerness to complete it given an opportunity. “He does not desire to be a minister and handle departments or ministries, but is open to implementing a national project of such magnitude and importance in a time-bound manner,” a friend of Nilekani, who did not wish to be quoted said.
A Cabinet minister’s rank is seen as necessary to ensure Nilekani gets the necessary independence and authority to implement the project, especially since it will require immense coordination with home, labour, rural development and information technology ministries as well as the Planning Commission. The UPA government had on January 28 notified the Unique Identification Authority of India under the Planning Commission and provided Rs 100 crore in the interim Budget to kickstart implementation of the project. The governance structure of the authority may be so modified to enable Nilekani take over its reins with a Cabinet minister’s rank. Once implemented, the UIP project will eliminate the need for multiple identification mechanism and not only address security issues but also help effectively target social benefit and employment programmes. The permanent ID card...
Comments
» UIA Project to be headed by Mr Nandan Nilekeni
Posted by Ravindra Shetty on 2009-06-28 12:47:26.03601+05:30
The Indian Politics is coming off age by engaging professionals in critical and key functions like UIA Project.This will not only ensure smooth implementation of such a mammoth project,but also will inspire and compel other Cabinet Ministers to give their best in implementing projects under their respective ministries smoothly and speedily.I see a bright future for our growing country and is on the way of becoming super Economic power next only to USA
» Unique Identification Code
Posted by dikshit Prakash on 2009-06-27 12:06:10.498329+05:30
26th June 2009.Attention : Shri. Nandan Nilekani,Sir,Around starting of 2005 I concaved a concept of allocating a Unique Identification Code for an Individual. I was trying to approach an appropriate authority which I could tap. In this connection My concept was confined to allocating Unique Code for an individual only, this concept I had developed from the limited data
» good decision
Posted by zeba on 2009-06-26 15:14:44.803819+05:30
Our honourable PM has made the right decision for the growth of the country.
» Cabinet offer for Nandan Nilakeni
Posted by Rayudu Kowtha/USA on 2009-06-23 18:53:14.994423+05:30
This is an excellent idea; Must have come from another Technocrat no other than PM. I am sure with his vast experience in IT sector both at grass-root level and at top positions, I am sure Mr. Nilakeni has the right credentials and capability to implement this very essential and useful program in national interest. UPA government should be appreciated for the initiative it has taken in trying to induct a technical but non-political person for implementing such highly technical program. I hope the PM takes further initiatives to induct some more eminent people who are experts in various fields without any political bias,in national interest. =Rayudu kowtha=
» cabinet post for nandan nilekani.
Posted by ajraval on 2009-06-23 17:37:28.039913+05:30
The Indian red-tape mechanism is a complex administration legacy that a techno-crat like Nandan would feel smothered by rules, regulations, permission,approval from PMO. In the past many such technocrats were inducted in the cabinet including Sam Pitroda but they could not pierce the iron wall of red-tapism. Much needs to be done to give him fast-track powers to impliment his orders.=ajraval
» Unique identity number
Posted by Dr B Sundara on 2009-06-23 13:25:04.329519+05:30
This is an excellent idea. Mr Nilekani must be the right choice to accomplish the task.The UPA's approach to find right person to do the right job is highly praise-worthy.
» NANDEN NILEKANI
Posted by PANKAJ on 2009-06-22 22:58:56.970774+05:30
NANDEN NILKENI IS A VERY TALENTED PERSON. HE HAS WRITTEN A BOOK IN WHICH HE HAS OUTLINED STEPS THAT INDIA HAS TO TAKE IF IT WANTS TO BECOME A DEVELOPED NATION. HE CAN INSPIRE LOTS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN INDIA. HIS IDEAS SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED BY INDIAN GOVERNMENT.
» Cabinet Offer for Mr. Nilekani
Posted by Dev on 2009-06-22 21:54:40.992084+05:30
Happy to hear the news that an esteemed professional has been sought to implement this project. Government should always seek the best qualified people (not necessarily politicians who always carry an agenda). I am sure Mr. Nilekani would deliver a world class product.
» ui implementation
Posted by jasbir on 2009-06-22 20:03:35.876488+05:30
this was the long outstanding requirement in india for implementation of all projects
» Unique Identification Number Project
Posted by Ashok Kumar Mandi on 2009-06-22 17:21:42.157774+05:30
Mr. Nandan Nilekani, can easily implement this project. Use of Mobile Number Portability -Tool which can be the Unique Identification Number of each citizen. The existing data base if frozen serves the purpose. On attaining eighteen years, each person be given by the educational institution in urban
