The Chairman of Unique Identification Authority of India, Nandan Nilekani has promised to roll out the first set of unique identification numbers (UIDs) within a period of next 12-18 months.

In a statement concurring with that of the Union finance minister', Nilekani said, "In the next 12 to 18 months, we will be issuing the first set of unique identification numbers ...The Finance Minister [Pranab Mukherjee] in his budget speech has said that the ID numbers would be issued in 12-18 months. We take that as [a] very strong direction and commitment. So we intend to abide by that,"

The Cabinet-ranked chief elucidated on the responsibility assigned to the authority, stating that its task is to create database of identities - "We are not going to be issuing cards, "he said.

"We are going to be issuing numbers. We are going to issue a unique identification number for each person ...Our intention is to give everybody a unique number to each person ... We will have to do it with some kind of biometric identification," he added.

Nilekani explained that a unique identification numbers will provide a unique identity to an individual citizen. This will helps the citizens in activities like opening new ban accounts, obtain new mobile or electricity connection and other places where identity proofs are required.

"We will have a very simple database, which provides biometric and demographic identity details like name, number, date of birth, very basic things," Nilekani confirmed.

He added that different government departments could access the database as per the requirement.

The government has allocated a sum of Rs. 120 crore for the project during this current fiscal.

Commenting on the roadmap, Nilekani said, "first task would be to set up a team by picking up the best talent available from the government as well as the private sector to prepare the residents' database."

Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Bangalore-based IT giant Infosys has taken charge as the Chairman of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIAI). The former CEO and co-chairman of the company resigned from his duties to avoid conflict of interest.