Date:15/07/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/07/15/stories/2005071507950400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Imported `iris' cameras speed up issue of ration cards

Special Correspondent

300 `iris' technology cameras arrive from US, all photo centres become operational

HYDERABAD: The State Government has speeded up the process of issuing ration cards from Thursday following the arrival of over 300 additional `iris' technology cameras from the US.

With this the 600-odd Designated Photography Locations (DPLs) in all the municipalities of the State where ration card distribution commenced a fortnight ago have become fully operational, Civil Supplies Commissioner, Bhanwarlal, told reporters here on Thursday.

Despatched to centres

The Commissioner said the 611 cameras were despatched all over the State. He expected the job of issuing new cards and replacing the existing ones to be completed by August 10.

He admitted that the work had gone on at a snail's pace so far. "But, that was because only 300 cameras were available and the crew was not properly trained. The problems have been solved now," he said.

The Government had so far distributed only two lakh out of the targeted 45 lakh cardsMr. Bhanwarlal said each DPL had a capacity to issue 250 cards a day at which rate 1.5 lakh cards could be distributed throughout the State daily. The work would thus be finished by August 10.

The Commissioner denied that the exercise was meant to eliminate existing cards. He also said old cards were being exchanged for new without any inquiry.