Imaging India: What's the unique ID card project?

Courtesy: TNN Ambitious: Rs 150,000 cr Unique Identification Card (UIC) project will catalogue personal details  of every Indian citizen on smart cards.  It will put India in the club of about 56 countries around the world, which have some form  of national identity cards. These include most of continental Europe (not UK), China, Brazil, Japan,  Iran, Israel and Indonesia.  Detailed To include name, sex, address, marital status, photo, identification mark and finger biometrics.  Hi-tech Will be based on a sophisticated application called SCOSTA, a secured electronic device that’s  used for keeping data & other info in a way that only authorized persons can view it.  Versatile Can be used for many purposes, ranging from use as voter I-card to proof for opening bank  account. Can help deter illegal immigration & curb terrorism.  Urgent Scheme was launched in Nov 2003 and has so far been given to just 31 lakh citizens. Miffed  by the delay, SC in Jan pulled up the govt and asked it to implement the scheme countrywide  speedily.