From Sanjay Borkar in Margao
for Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (MB)

Margao, Apr 20: Goa Civic and Consumer Action Network (GOACAN) has demanded cancellation of Smart Card tender given by Transport Department.

GOA CAN on Thursday launched its statewide mass contact programme with an awareness action in Margao to educate the Goan consumers about the implications of the optical strip technology-based Smart Card and to rally support for its demand for immediate cancellation of the Tender issued by the directorate of transport.

The forum's Volunteers carrying placards and banners, demanding cancellation of smart card, met consumers from different parts of South Goa and explained to them the issue of the tender by the directorate of transport for a smart "Optical Strip'' card-based Registration Certificate (RC) which would result in large amounts of money being accumulated by private companies at the cost of the Goan consumers over the next 15 years.

They pointed out that the Goa government had, in march 2007, issued a tender for smart "Optical Strip'' card based Registration Certificate despite there existing grave doubts about this optical RC with regards to its viability, legality and price. However while the advantages of the smart card based RC cannot be disputed, the government of Goa while issuing the tender for smart card based RC has mandated that the same issued with an Optical Strip in addition to the microprocessor chip in their RC are facing problem.

GOACAN has submitted the memorandums to all the concern ministers and offices, regarding it.