Four years after the 26/11 terror attacks, which prompted a move to bolster security along India’s vast coastline and protect those fishing near international waters, fishermen in Utan, Bhayander (W), were finally issued biometric cards this month.
In the first phase of the project, 6,000 cards will be issued to fishermen in Thane taluka.
Around 4,000 fishermen reside in the Utan and Chowk areas of Bhayander. Nearly 42,000 fishermen in Thane district will be covered in the second phase of the project. The process of gathering details about the fishermen for the biometric cards is underway.
Many fishermen have complained of harassment at the hands of various agencies. Earlier, the government had issued smart cards to fishermen. The cards, however, proved futile out at sea as coastal agencies had no way of cross checking the credibility of the cards and hence of the fishermen.
In case of biometric cards, card readers will be provided to the security agencies. The biometric cards will hence act as the electronic identification of individual fishermen. The cards bear a chip that carries details like a unique identity number, fingerprint, digital signature and photograph.
“Each cardholder will also be covered by a Rs 2 lakh personal accident insurance policy funded by the Centre and the state,” said Bernard Dmello, corporator, Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation.
The cards have been designed and made by the National Institute of Design and Bharat Electronic Limited. BSNL will provide the communication network while the National Informatics Centre has done data collection and entry work, officials said.
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