Medvedev to discuss universal electronic cards for public services.

MOSCOW (Itar-Tass) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
will hold a meeting of the Presidential Commission for Modernization on
Monday to discuss the introduction of universal electronic cards in the
country. "The universal electronic card is a tool for all public and
municipal services to Russian citizens," this issue is put on the agenda
of a Monday commission meeting.
The universal electronic card is a common federal standard. The card
will replace all social cards, which had been issued in the regions up to
now, compulsory medical and pension insurance certificates, student
identity cards, public transport monthly tickets and banking cards. All
Russian citizens over 14 years can have these cards.
"The transition to electronic services is the persistent demand of the
present times," and "strategic information technologies are one of the
most important guidelines in the development of the country," Medvedev
noted. All public services should be provided in the electronic form by
2015 under the Russian information society development strategy.
The special law, which regulates the operation of a new system of
public services, was enacted in the previous year. Russian citizens can
receive universal electronic cards after their applications starting from
January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013. Those who did not file an
application can receive the universal electronic card starting from
January 1, 2014. However, a Russian citizen can refuse from the universal
electronic card. These cards will be issued and replaced free of charge.
Universal electronic cards are to be issued already this year in
Moscow. All types of allowances can be transferred to it.
Sberbank President German Gref stated in the previous year that the
introduction of universal electronic cards will cost 150 billion roubles
for five years, according to his estimates.
The universal electronic card special joint stock company stated at
its official website that new cards are completely secure, because they
"do not contain the database about a citizen; have special protection
marks and personal identification numbers; have visual protection marks as
a banknote and the procedure of their issue and circulation is centralized
and is being kept under control of the state authorities."
However, Russian citizens have various opinions about these universal
electronic cards. Some of them are concerned that electronic
identification cards can give an opportunity for the total personal
control. For instance, Moscow residents have drafted a plea to the Moscow
City Duma, and the Russian Orthodox Church intends to protect the
interests of those who are afraid of new cards. "There are some people,
who do not want to take this card for some reasons, and it is very
important today for these people not be subject to discrimination or
moreover not to shift to the illegal living and will have an opportunity
to choose the type of documents. We have received hundreds of addresses
from people," chief of the department for the cooperation between the
church and the society Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin said.