Nandurbar (Maharashtra), September 29
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the Unique Identification Number (UID) was a major step his government had taken to benefit the common man.

Handing over the first set of UID cards at Tembli village here, the Prime Minister said: "It is one of our ambitious projects to give an unique identity to every citizen of India. This scheme will enable the poor, the backward classes and women to take advantage of our other schemes."

Addressing around 500 people, he said: "This is one scheme that will give you an identity, a scheme through which you can make your voice heard."

Singh said the scheme will help take banking facilities to the remotest Indian villages. “This scheme will lay the foundation for facilitating you to avail all other government welfare schemes.”

United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi attended the function.

Singh and Gandhi earlier handed over UID cards - called 'Aadhar' - to a dozen villagers. The UID scheme, by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), will be implemented nationwide.

"I congratulate UIDAI chief Nandan Nilekani and his team for launching a successful venture," Singh said.

Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said it was a matter of pride for Nandurbar and Maharashtra that a prestigious national scheme was first implemented there.

Singh congratulated Chavan for taking the initiative to get the first set of UID in Maharashtra.

“It is a matter of pride for Maharashtra. This state is one of the developing states in India. It is an inspiration for many other states. I am sure this initiative will set an example for other states,” he said.

The UIDAI scheme, announced in July 2009, will provide a unique identity to each Indian over the next five years. — IANS