Indians will have a new indentity number from now on. The ambitious Unique Identification programme was launched jointly by the Prime Minister and UPA Chairperson today by handing over the Aadhar Identity Numbers to ten adivasis from the tribal hamlet of Tembhli in Maharashtra. Rajana Sonawane became India's first Unique ID card recipient with 12 digit number 782474317884 as Identity proof throughout her life. Reciving the UID number, she thanked UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi for the honour.Launching the programme both Dr Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi said that Unique Identification will enable the poor and weaker sections of society to get the benefit of various government schemes. The Prime Minister said the poor did not have any identity proof. Due to this shortcoming, they could not open bank accounts or get ration cards. Now the scheme will help them avail the benefits of government welfare programmes which many a times are pocketed by others.Expressing similar sentiments Sonia Gandhi said identification numbers will help plug the loopholes in the Public Distribution System and make the delivery of various schemes more transparent. She said that the problem of fake ration cards will also end with this scheme. AIR correspondent says, Dr. Manmohan Singh will allocate forest lands and formally distribute the quota of foodgrains and oil pumps and PVC pipes to the beneficiaries under the subsidy schemes during the second leg of the function at the same venue.Besides availing of the benefits of the welfare schemes, Aathar will help banking or transfer of money by cell phone to pay cab driver, grocer or shopkeepers. Mobie companies issueing about 15 million SIM cards can use Aathar for identification. Aathar will also help in better functioning of Public distribution system, Rural Employment Guarentee and other schemes.About 60 crore people will get the number by 2014.