Biometric card for NREGA schemes in Assam

Data being collected for a biometric card. File photo

The Assam government will soon launch a biometric smart card for ensuring transparency in the

payments made under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA).

“For ensuring transparency and speed in making payments under NREGA, my government is planning to launch a biometric smart card,” chief minister Tarun Gogoi told reporters here.

“The government is going to bear a two per cent service charge for making the system helpful for rural workers and for better supervision of schemes my government has taken a decision to provide a vehicle to all the block development officers,” he said.

For generating avenues of self employment in rural areas under the chief minister's special employment programme of 2010-11, an amount of Rs 35.50 crore has been allocated to the State Institute of Rural Development (SITD) to assist around 12000 farmers, women weavers and unemployed youths, Mr. Gogoi said.

“My target is to generate eight crore mandays under NREGA in the next financial year,” he said.