New Delhi: Countrymen will start getting the sophisticated unique identity cards from within the next 18 months with the government Monday allocating Rs 120 crore for the purpose in the general budget.

Announcing this, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the first set of unique identity numbers will be rolled out in 12 to 18 months.

"A provision of Rs 120 crore has been proposed for this project," Mukherjee said during his budget in the Lok Sabha.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), set up recently by the government, will establish an online databse with identity and biometric details of Indian residents and provide enrolment and verification services across the country.

Mukherjee said the setting of the UIDAI was a "major step in improving the governance with regard to delivery of public services.

The Finance Minister also expressed his happiness that the project also marks the beginning of an era where a top private sector talent, Nandan Nilekani of Infosys, steps forward to take the responsibility for implementing the projects of vital national importance.

To expedite the completion of the Brihan Mumbai Storm Water Drainage Project, Rs 500 crore has been earmarked in the Union Budget, which is Rs 300 crore higher than that in the Interim Budget.
The total budgetary support for rural roads for 2009-10 will be Rs 12,000 crore, out of which Rs 1,067 crore has been earmarked for the north-eastern region and Sikkim.

This is an increase of 59 per cent from the allocation in 2008-09.
Rural roads have been identified as one of the six components of Bharat Nirman which seeks to provide connectivity, with an all-weather road by 2009 to all villages having a population of 1,000 or 500 in case of hilly or tribal areas.

To achieve the targets of Bharat Nirman, 1,46,185 km of road is proposed to be constructed by 2009 to benefit 59,564 unconnected eligible habitations in the country.

To ensure full farm-to-market connectivity, it is proposed to upgrade 1,94,132 km of existing routes at a cost of Rs 48,000 crore.

Besides, an allocation of Rs 6,500 crore has been made as loan for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.

Source: PTI

Catch the Budget excitement: Complete coverage
More on News