Kolkata: The country's first smart driving licence and registration certificate was launched by West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee in Kolkata today (Oct 18, 2004).

"The smartcards will bridge the gap between the traffic police and transport department in West Bengal as also with transport authorities of different States," Transport Minister Subhas Chakraborty, who was also present on the occasion, told reporters.

Based on the Smart Card Operating System for Transport Applications (SCOSTA), the smart driving licences and registration certificates would use a three-tier biometric system in the form of digitised photograph, signature and thumb print of the holder. The cards would be tamper proof, Chakraborty said.

Pointing out that SCOSTA had created a uniformity and standardisation in the smartcards to be issued by transport authorities of different States, Chakraborty said that the cards issued from West Bengal would be 'readable' and 'writeable' in any other State just by inserting them in hand-held terminals. "This would allow the transport authorities to access details and take necessary action."

Chakraborty said that besides helping the Government to update data on offence and penalties, the smart cards would also come handy in minimising duplicacy and fraud of licences, besides helping the police to nab offenders easily.

On the other hand, smartcard holders would get benefits of a common system prevailing throughout the country, besides facing minimum harassment in payment of taxes and penalties.