Kakinada, Dec 30th: The issue of smart card for the needs of social security pensioners and National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) beneficiaries was entrusted to five commercial banks. The effective implementation of total inclusion in their respective areas of coverage was also handed over to the banks in the district. But according to sources, the banks lag behind in this aspect. Lack of effective machinery with the banks in the speedy implementation of these two schemes is said to be the main reason for the delay.

It is said that the RBI is very keen for the effective implementation of the schemes to cover all the people not covered with bank accounts. The issue of smart cards was entrusted to five commercial banks in the district. They include the State Bank of India, Andhra Bank, ING Vysya, Union Bank of India and the Corporation Bank. These banks in turn appointed local implementing agencies for effective issue of more than two lakh cards. According to sources, expect the SBI and the Andhra Bank, other three banks did not make any progress in the issue of these cards through they were to be issued two months ago.