Collector M. Karunakaran, on Wednesday, launched the initiative of enrolment for issue of Unique Identification numbers (UID) Aadhaar. Central Bank of India will facilitate the enrolment for UID while Srei Sahaj e-Village (SAHAJ) Limited will be the service provider.
In Coimbatore, Karvy Consultants will offer the UID service to residents of Coimbatore at its centres on NSR Road in Sai Baba Colony (opposite to IOB), Jaya Enclave on Avanashi Road and at SNV Chambers on Cross Cut Road in Gandhipuram. Residents could walk in between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on all days and avail the facility free of cost. The allotted UID number will be sent to the residential address of the applicant after processing the application and capturing the image and bio-metric data. Bank of Baroda will also offer the service at its main branch opposite to Railway Station.
S. Palanisamy, Assistant General Manager of Central Bank of India (Regional office – Coimbatore) said that as many as 150 machines have been provided by SAHAJ and the bank is yet to finalise the list of places where the service will be extended to residents. Now, the bank is locating a UID centre at Collectorate for the benefit of its staff as well as those visiting the Collectorate.
Mr. Palanisamy said that ideal option will be to visit offices and major areas and conduct camps where residents can fill in the application forms and provide the required proof. Then, the UID authority will generate a unique 12-digit UID number for the applicant and it can be used for identifying all financial transactions. The idea of offering the facility at the bank's branches will be considered provided if there was adequate space to carry out the drive simultaneously without affecting bank work.
Mr. Palanisamy said that forms can be collected, filled-in and submitted along with supporting proof and then if the applicant turns up, the entire process of taking a photograph, bio-metric scan of all the 10 fingers and iris can be taken. All this can be completed in just two minutes. Otherwise, if an applicant turns up for the entire process at one go, then the entire process will consume nearly 10 to 15 minutes.
Possession of an UID number is likely become mandatory in future, as many financial service organisations will start insisting on the same. Similarly, with the UID capturing the iris and biometric details, it will eliminate the ordeal of having to carry too many identity cards and proofs. It will also eliminate the risk of the identity cards being forged, the officials said.
Alpa Bagga, Associate Vice-President (Business Development) of SAHAJ and V.R. Naresh, Senior Manager of UID participated in the function.
