The creation of computerised database for issuing unique identification cards (UID cards) or National Identity Cards began in six villages in Cuddalore district on Monday.

The residents of Ezhumedu and Poongunam in Panruti block, Poonthottam and Thavirthampattu in Chidambaram block, and, Sirupalaiyur (North) and Boothampadi in Kurinjipadi block are the first ones to be covered under the project.

Under the project named “Aadhaar” (support or foundation), being implemented by the Unique Identification Authority of India, biometric data and photographs of the residents are being recorded on laptops for issuing 12-digit unique identification number.

All those above five years of age would have to provide the requisite data for which a prescribed application form is being issued to every person. The residents would have to fill in details such as name, address, ration card number, Electors' Photo Identity Card number, Permanent Account Number, driving licence number, father's name, date of birth and age, and, the registration number issued during enumeration and hand over the duly filled-in application to the officials in-charge.

They would also have to refer the name of a neighbour. Later, the photographs of the resident would be taken through web camera attached to laptops, as was done in the case of EPICs. Then, the residents would have to register their fingerprints, otherwise known as biometric data, on a rectangular lighted scanner device.

One has to put four fingers of each hand alternately on the device and then both the thumbs at the same time for registering fingerprints. Subsequently, each one would be given a box-like hand-held device, similar to a binocular, which they ought to be held against their eyes for imaging the iris.

After the sequence is completed, which would take about 10 to 15 minutes for each person, the laptop would generate a printout carrying all details of the citizen concerned along with the photograph.

This task assigned to agencies appointed by the Unique Identification Authority of India is being supervised by retired Central government officials deployed for the purpose. It is stated that the UID card would serve as a vital document for every person as a proof of his/her citizenship and for access to various welfare schemes.

Collector V. Amudhavalli, who inspected the data entry camp at Ezhumedu, told presspersons that in each camp four laptops were deployed and each laptop would record the database of 80 to 90 citizens.

The respective block development officers and tashildars were coordinating with the agencies and the camp timings and date were announced through tom-tom, she added.