SecureIDNews | More than 10 million smart cards issued to poor in India

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

India has issued more than 10 million smart cards to families below the poverty line, according to iGovernment.com. The project, started in April 2008, is designed to cover the cost of health care for poor families of five persons up to a cost of $660.

Minister for Labour and Employment Mallikarjun Kharge boasts the project is the largest effort ever to use information technology tools in rural areas.

Prisoners at Tihar prisons, located near New Delhi, India, will now be using smart cards instead of paper coupons for their food purchases.

As reported by The Economic Times, the former system of paper food coupons led to misuse and illegal activity within the jail. Some prisoners would use it for currency in order to get banned substances or buy favors from others.

Indian government compromises on biometrics and identity

India’s government has called a truce in the ongoing argument between the Ministry of Home Affairs’s National Population Register (NPR) project and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), reports the Indian Express.

India transportation system creates huge demand for smart cards

Findings from an IMARC Group study reveal that the demand of smart cards in the automatic fare collection system in India is expected to grow exponentially in the next five years.

Report: India, the world's fastest growing smart card market

India is emerging as one of the world’s fastest growing smart card markets, according to a new research report by RNCOS. With more than one billion in population and increasing modern application areas, India is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 15% during 2011-2014.

Indian government deems unique ID more practical than smart cards

The government of India’s Planning Commission has announced that for electronic transfer of benefits to the rural poor, a unique identification number scheme is a more practical option than issuing smart cards, reports The Telegraph.

Ten million FINO customers in India use micro-banking on Gemalto smart cards

Gemalto announced that 10 million Financial Inclusion Network & Operations (FINO) customers in India now benefit and take part in micro-banking, using Gemalto smart cards, as part of FINO’s broader branchless banking program.

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More than 10 million smart cards issued to poor in India