AP govt disposes use of biometric in welfare schemes

Amaravati: The State government has decided not to use the biometric system during the distribution of the welfare schemes, direct cash benefits and Public Distribution System.

Speaking to this correspondent, K Kanna Babu, Special Secretary, Department of Gram Volunteers and Ward Volunteers, and Village Secretariats and Ward Secretariats, said that the government has taken the decision to dispose of the biometric-based distribution of pensions and PDS from this month itself.

The government is going to provide PDS groceries on March 29. In addition to the pension amount to regular eligible beneficiaries, the government will provide Rs 1000 to every white cardholder in the State on April 4.

He also said that all the government employees are already exempted from biometric-based attendance in all offices, irrespective of their location in the State.

Unless the government stops using the biometric machine, it would become a potential transmission agent for the novel Coronavirus. If a virus affected patient would touch the machine and press his thumb impression on it and complete the purpose. Then the virus would remain for several hours on the machine itself. During that time, as long as the virus will remain alive on the machine, it will spread to the others who touch the same spot. Hence, the government of Andhra Pradesh abandoned the biometric system. It also suggested private companies not to use biometric attendance till the normalcy restored.