AP CM to launch Adhar-based smart cards in Maheswaram t''rrow

Hyderabad, Jan 27 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister NKiran Kumar Reddy would launch the Aadhar-based smart cards inMaheswaram mandal near here tomorrow, the first revenuedivision in the country to use the biometric authenticationcards.

"Tomorrow, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy will launchthe smart card based on Aadhar. It is for the first time inthe country that any revenue division has completed work forgiving cards under Aadhar. This is the biggest achievement byany state government. We are proud to say that this governmenthas achieved this credit,� state Civil Supplies Minister DSridhar Babu told reporters.

He said 11,000 households in the mandal will be gettingthe cards which will be useful for availing a number ofwelfare schemes of the state government.

"11,000 households have been identified and brought underthe Aadhar smart card. The biometrics of these families havebeen captured and these people will be given the cards thatwill be useful not only for drawing ration but for �arogyasri� (health insurance scheme), scholarships (backward classstudents)and various other schemes launched for the commonman," Sridhar Babu said.

The government hopes to distribute the cards in theentire state within six months, he said.

�We have taken data from six lakh citizens in thestate. The biodata, biometrics have been gathered. Within sixmonths, we are hopeful of implementing the aadhar-based smartcard in the whole state. We have been doing it in sevendistricts on pilot basis. In six months, we want to see thatwhoever has a ration card, it will be replaced by smart card.

They can avail the services in a easier way. They can make thegovernment more accountable," he added.