CM announces ''Smartcard' to prevent misuse of INDIRAMMA

Hyderabad, Mar 17 (UNI) Announcing introduction of ''Smartcard'' all over Andhra Pradesh in three months to make the ''INDIRAMMA'' programme foolproof, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today charged previous TDP government with ''eating away'' the rice allocated to the state under the centrally-sponsored Food for Work(FFW) programme by then NDA government at the Centre.

The ''Smartcard,'' introduced on a trial basis in Warangal, would be extended to the entire state in three months, he said, amid thumping of desks by ruling party members during Question Hour.

Admitting that some ''minor mistakes'' were bound to crop up while implementation of a massive programme like the INDIRAMMA scheme to provide pensions to 69 lakh poor people, he said ''some black sheep will be there anywhere and everywhere. The state government is fully committed to prevent misuse of even a single paise from any welfare scheme by using appropriate technology.'' ''It was the TDP workers, who had eaten away 45 lakh tonnes of rice allocated by the Centre,'' the Chief Minister retorted, adding that even Revenue Minister Ashok Gajapathiraju had admitted that 20 to 30 per cent of Rs 4,000 crore worth rice had been misappropriated during the previous TDP regime.

On the other hand, the Congress government had successfully implemented the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme, remitting over Rs 2,000 crore to about 180 lakh beneficiaries directly into their post office or bank accounts and also ensured ''social audit'' of the works executed by them.

Stating that the Congress government had weeded out over 20 lakh bogus ration cards by adopting ''Iris' technology from over 1.40 lakh ration cards issued by the previous TDP government, he said biometric identification system would be used in social welfare hostels to identify the students.

UNI SM VA ROY KK GC1637