The Himalayan Times reports that the government of Nepal is going to pilot a biometric national ID card. The program, which will involve 100,000 people, will give citizens smart cards with personal data, thumbprints and a unique ID number.

The pilot project is conducted with assistance from the Asian Development Bank and with approval from the Council of Ministers. Once the pilot is complete, the National ID Management Centre hopes to distribute IDs through a three-phase plan over the next five years.

The first phase of the plan will cover 15 districts, then another 25 and finally 35 districts. ADB has been selected to implement the program at a cost of $14 million.

Read more here.

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