India is planning to provide its 1.1 billion-plus citisens with ID cards and create the second largest citizen database in the world. The largest is in China.

Entrepreneur, Nandan Nilekani has been put in charge of the scheme which will be the largest Big Brother database in a democratic country. It will take three years to complete the cunning plan which the government says will aid the delivery of vital social services to the poorest people who often lack sufficient identification papers.

The fact that it could tackle increasing amounts of identity fraud and theft and help coppers keep tabs on people does not enter into the equation, it says. ID cards in India are not exactly popular. Most people see it as a method of the government keeping tabs on the huge numbers of people in India who do not 'exist' and often have a tax free life.

Real terrorists and villains have ways and means of making ID cards to suit the occasion so it is unlikely that they will be affected.