Technology advisory group for unique IT projects soon

NEW DELHI - A technology advisory group will soon be set up for unique IT-related projects under the chairmanship of Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, said Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Friday in his budget speech.

“An effective tax administration and financial governance system calls for creation of IT projects which are reliable, secure and efficient. IT projects like tax information network, new pension scheme, national treasury management agency, expenditure information network, goods and service tax, are in different stages of roll out.

“To look into various technological and systemic issues, I propose to set up a technology advisory group for unique projects under the chairmanship of Nandan Nilekani,” he said in the Lok Sabha.

The finance minister said that he had announced the constitution of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), its broad working principles and the timeline for delivery of the first UID numbers.

Nilekani is also the chairman of the UIDAI.

“I am happy to report that the authority has been constituted and it will be able to meet its commitments of issuing the first set of UID numbers in the coming year. It would provide an effective platform for financial inclusion and targeted subsidy payments. Since the UIDAI will now get into the operational phase, I am allocating Rs.1,900 crore to the authority for 2010-11,” Mukherjee added.