AP govt to introduce 'smart cards' for distributing pension

Hyderabad, Aug 20 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today announced that 'bio-metric machines and smart cards' would be introduced to distribute pensions and other benefits to the poor in the state.

An official release here said that Dr Reddy directed the concerned officials to cover all villages under the new scheme by the end of August 2008.

The Chief Minister said the trained women of Self Help Groups (SHGs) would function as banking business correspondents, who would carry the machines and distribute pensions to the poor through their smart cards.

Stating that Mahila Samakya building would be constructed in every village to set up cash chests, he said the new scheme would deliver banking and financial services to the poor and avoid corruption and misuse of funds.

The smart card scheme was taken up on a pilot basis in six mandals in Warangal district, the release added.

UNI