Andhra Pradesh Government today launched Smart Cards scheme based on Aadhaar number of Unique Identity Authority of India. Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy formally distributed the first set of Smart Cards at Maheswaram in Ranga Reddy district today. With this Maheswaram has become the first Mandal in the country that is using Aadhaar based biometric authentication to enable people to claim benefits under different welfare programmes.The Smart Cards have been prepared under a pilot scheme by the Unique Identity Authority of India in the seven districts of the state included Srikakulam, East Godavari, Adilabad, Hyderabad, Chittoor, Anantapur and Ranga Reddy. Civil Supplies Minister D. Sridhar Babu said these multi-utility cards would serve as ID proof for all purpose and bring transparency, prevent diversion of Public DistributionSystem stocks and end corruption. The cards also would replace the ration cards, help people claim benefits under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Arogyasri the health insurance for poor, scholarships, pensions, housing and self-help group schemes and even cooking gas. The Smart Card would facilitate introduction of anywhere-ration facility for the migrating and nomadic families, he said. The Minister further said the scheme would soon be expanded to the rest of the state.