UIDAI RECEIVES OVER 3,000 LOGO DESIGNS, DECISION BY APRIL
Business Standard Mail Today
The UIDAI, which aims to provide a unique 16-digit number to all residents of the country by next year, has received over 3000 entries from across the country for its logo competition. Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani-headed Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will select a logo from the lot, which will become face of the ambitious project by April.
As part of its public partnership, the UID has also opened up a number of jobs for the general public who wish to be part of the project. The government has proposed Rs 1,900 crore in budgetary allocation, nearly a 16-fold increase, to the Authority for the period 2010-11
UNIQUE IDENTITY CARDS FOR TRANSGENDER
Reji John, Mumbai
Financial Chronicle
Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will allow a million-plus transgender community in India to register their identity as `Transgender' or `T' when the UIDAI begins the process of issuing unique identity numbers.
According to proposals made by the demographic data standards and verification procedure (DDSVP) committee, headed by former central vigilance commissioner (CVC) N Vittal, one of the key goals of this system is "to be inclusive and ensure every resident is able to establish their identity". Ease to access, no harassment, no discrimination, no corruption and no exclusion are the key principles to be followed.
LEARNER'S LICENCE TEST ON COMPUTER
Megha Suri Singh, New Delhi
The Times of India
Delhiites may finally get some respite from touts and corrupt Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials to get a driving licence issued. Starting Monday, the process of issuing learners licences, the first step for a licence to drive, was made fully computerized, minimizing human interface in the testing. The change has been initiated at the Vasant Vihar RTO and will be extended to 12 other RTOs in a month's time.
Now, about 1,400 people who go to different RTOs in the city to get licences issued will have to undergo a computerized test. Unlike the existing process where tests are taken on paper by officials, who reportedly pass candidates even without sitting for it by accepting bribes there have also been complaints of deserving candidates getting the red mark because they have refused to pay bribe, the new process has little human interface. Once a person has taken the test and passed it, s/he will be granted a licence.
FDI PROPOSALS CAN NOW BE MADE ONLINE
Business Standard
Making foreign direct investment proposals will be a lot more hassle-free now since that can be done online now. Any investor planning to enter can file his or her investment proposal on www.fipbindia.com, which was launched by Finance Secretary Ashok Chawla on Monday.
WHY WE NEED WIKI `SARKAR'
Sriram Raghavan
The Asian Age
In 2003, the government launched what was meant to become the mother of all e-Governance initiatives in the country. Titled the National e-Governance Plan, its purpose was to bring the gamut of scattered and disorganised e-Governance initiatives under the common purpose of ensuring efficiency, transparency and reliability in the delivery of Government services to the common man.
Yet, after several targeted Mission Mode Projects and costs now running into millions, reality is unchanged for the layperson and turning further bleak for the poor who are acutely dependent on the government for all their fundamental needs. The primary reason why I believe e-Governance projects have failed to make an impact on people's lives is because the end beneficiaries (the people) are usually pushed to the background.
Technology platforms apparently built to ease government-citizen interaction never include citizens as an integral part of the design. Today's e-Governance does not inform us about whom to approach, how our requests are being processed or when we will receive our service.
