New Delhi: Setting the stage for implementation of the ambitious National ID card project, the Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, said on Monday that the first set of unique identity numbers would be rolled out in 12-18 months. A provision of Rs 120 crore is proposed for the project.

The announcement comes just days after Mr Nandan Nilekani was appointed to spearhead the Unique Identification Authority of India last month.

“The setting up of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is a major step in improving governance with regard to delivery of public services…The UIDAI will set up an online data base with identity and biometric details of Indian residents and provide enrolment and verification services across the country,” the Finance Minister said.

Giving a push to government spending on IT, apart from the high profile UID project, the Finance Minister also talked about launching a new project for modernisation of the employment exchanges in public private partnership so that job seekers can register on-line and approach any employment exchange.

The Union Budget did not tinker with the tax structures for the hardware sector - which is just as well. At the prevailing eight per cent excise duty/CVD on IT products, there exists an equilibrium between various models of manufacturing — SEZs, excise free zones and domestic tariff area.