Pilot project of 'smart card' for locals begins

In a bid to check illegal immigration and smuggling across the Indo-Nepal border, government has launched a pilot project to provide smart card identification to 155,000 locals in an area in this district, which shares its borders with Nepal.      

"The Government of India is issuing microchip-based multipurpose smart cards which will be used as identification cards in the border areas of Nautanwa tehsil to help check illegal immigration," said Bahadur, incharge of Multipurpose National Identification Card (MNIC) pilot project in the area.      

Located on Indo-Nepal border, the tehsil has a mixed population of over 4.46 lakh, including a considerable population of people with Nepali origin, he said, adding, 155,000 locals will provided with the cards in the current phase.      

In 2003, the Centre had embarked to establish a national register of Indian citizens, the pilot projects for which is currently underway in Uttar Pradesh along with 12 other border states.      

"This card also acts as an identity and residential proof. The card carries a photograph of the person along with the fingerprint mark. An embedded electronic chip holds all vital information of the bearer," Bahadur explained.      

The card would also help residents avail public services like healthcare and education in future, he added.