Govt to create a National Population Register - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Maken on Tuesday informed that the Government has decided to create a National Population Register (NPR) in the country along with Houselisting and Housing Census 2010. For the NPR, details on specific characteristics of each individual shall be collected along with photographs and finger biometrics of all those who are 15 years of age and above. As one of the measures to strengthen coastal security, creation of NPR for the 3331 coastal villages in 9 Maritime States of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal and 4 Union Territories (UTs) of Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Puducherry has been undertaken during 2009-10, Mr. Maken informed. The lists of coastal villages have been finalized in consultation with the respective States/UTs. The scheme also envisages identity cards to be given to all the usual residents of these villages who are 18 years of age and above. The field work of direct data collection is in progress and biographic details of more than 8.9 million persons and biometric details of more than 35 lakh have been collected, the reply revealed.