IT and Authority: By 2014 all govt. services become available to Russians via universal e-cards

The Ministry of Communications and Mass Media has launched work on the universal e-card which will enable citizens of Russia to access the e-govt. infrastructure. The card will also provide access to various applications - pension, healthcare, education, public transport, and give an opportunity to pay for public and municipal services.

On its blog the Ministry has mounted voting for various designs of the future card and it also welcomes users to submit their projects.

In 2014 citizens of Russia will have a chance to get all govt. services via the universal e-card. This plastic card will bear information on the user and will enable to make use of various govt. and other services.

Universal e-card and several e-applications will enable the citizen to request, receive and pay for all possible services. In particular, federal e-application will guarantee public services and services of other organizations countrywide, the regional application will give an opportunity to make use of govt. services rendered by the regional authority.

From January 1 2012 to December 31 2013 universal e-cards will be issued to citizens who have submitted applications. While from January 1 2014 cards will be issued to those who haven’t submitted applications. For the citizens of Russia the procedure will be free.