Carrying documents as proof of identity, residence or academic qualification while applying for a job or a certificate from a government office is a headache for most citizens. Anyone who has misplaced a passport in a crowded office or had a degree certificate stolen would know the ordeal of getting it replaced with a new one.
But that nightmare may soon be a thing of the past. By the end of May, citizens in Kerala are expected to have the facility to store digitized copies of important documents like passport, voter card, driving licence and PAN card in an online locker. Named Digital Locker, the facility is an online repository, a cloud service to be introduced by the Kerala State IT Mission.
Aadhaar number
Linked to a citizen’s Aadhaar number, Digital Locker uses a one-time password verification for safe storage and retrieval of e-documents. By enabling availability of the documents electronically and online over a secure link, it obviates the need to present physical copies to the authorities.
If the user provides the Aadhaar number while applying for a government service, the concerned official can access an e-document stored in the Digital Locker using the URI (Unique Resource Identifier) link.
Any time, anywhere
“Citizens often need to submit multiple copies of their documents for various government services. Keeping documents in physical form adds to the administrative overhead. Besides, the process of verifying the authenticity of documents is lengthy and complex. The documents stored in the Digital Locker will be available online and can be accessed and shared anytime, anywhere,” says K. Mohammed Y Safirulla, Director, KSITM.
The Digital Locker allows the user to store up to 10mb of space, with the facility to upload files in different formats. Users can sign in using Aadhaar number, user name and password or social media.
File sharing
Files stored in the locker can be shared between departments and agencies by providing the URI of the documents without using photocopies or scanned copies. Uploaded documents can also be e-signed through an Aadhaar-linked digital signature.
Mr. Safirulla said the Digital Locker service would be integrated with the e-district project which currently provides 24 certificates issued by the Revenue Department. “Over time, we expect the facility to be extended to the entire range of government services,” he added.
