Date:07/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/07/stories/2006010706100300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

Issue of ration cards in rural areas soon

Staff Reporter

Additional iris cameras sought for speedy distribution

ANANTAPUR : Issue of new household supply (ration) cards with iris technology in rural areas of the district is likely to commence on January 9. However, shortage of iris cameras will keep the process slow.

The exercise was completed in one municipal corporation and six municipalities.

District authorities have already requested the State Government to sanction another 30 iris cameras for the speedy process in rural areas.

Joint Collector Shashibhushan Kumar has said the work can be taken up in the rural portions of seven mandals with urban headquarters with the available cameras.

The process will be speeded up after the receipt of additional cameras.

The exercise in the remaining 56 mandals will be taken up after Sankranthi and completed in four phases by covering 14 mandals in each phase.

For the benefit of rural population, CMR sheets (application forms) are being made available in Telugu.

There are 7,03,258 ration cards existing in the rural areas, including 5,36,183 white, 1,17,409 pink, 3,026 Annapurna and 46,640 Anthyodaya cards.