Russians to get combined identity, payment cards in 2012-2013
20:17, 17 January 2011
MOSCOW. January 17. KAZINFORM Russians will be able to receive universal identity and payment cards between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2013, the manufacturer said on Monday.
The UEK said the terms apply to those who fill in their forms in advance. Those who fail to hand in their applications will have to wait until 2014.
The non-obligatory card will streamline the payment of pensions and taxes, and can even be used like bank cards in stores.
President Dmitry Medvedev proposed creating a national payment system in 2009.
The plan is to issue plastic identity cards with microchips containing the holder's personal information and combining the features of a social security card and a bank card, enabling people to pay taxes, draw pensions and buy products in shops, Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.
See www.en.rian.ru