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10 million contactless smart cards issued in India
21 Jan 2010

Over ten million healthcare smart cards have been issued in India since they were introduced in April 2008, it has been announced.

Thaindian News reports that Mallikarjun Kharge, Minister for Labour and Employment, revealed yesterday (January 19th) that the contactless smart cards have been distributed to provide more than ten million Indian families with health insurance.

He explained at the annual Editors' Conference on Social Sector Issues: "This is perhaps the largest effort ever to use information technology tools in rural areas." 

The contactless smart cards are given to families of five to provide them with health insurance cover to a value of 30,000 rupees (£401).

Similarly, ration booklets of impoverished families in the region of Chandigarh will soon be replaced with smart cards in a scheme that is hoped to cut down on the fraudulent collection of food supplies.

The cards will contain biometric features of the cardholder, such as the retina or a fingerprint, which will ensure that people will only be able to gain access to their own rations.