The government will start distribution of smart identity cards for people living in coastal areas in the next two months. Speaking at a function in New Delhi, Registrar General of India, C Chandramouli said, the distribution of these cards will start in two months or so. He said around 3,331 villages will be covered initially and 8 million cards will be distributed.
He said that each of these cards will have a unique identity number on them. The cards will carry biometric data which will include finger print, Iris scan and photograph along with UID number.
These identity cards are multipurpose ones that can replace various other cards issued by the state and central government like ration card and others. The government has spent Rs 216 crore, out of which around Rs 133 crore had been spent on smart card and the rest on data collection. I-cards will provide nationality, professional and legal proof and lead to easy detection of infiltrators, masquerading as fishermen in the coastal areas.
