Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan today said the state government would consider hiking the present compensation of Rs 600 being paid to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) people under various programmes while launching a biometric scheme for them.

Anusaya Baban Katkare became the first person in the state to get the benefit of the biometric system of special assistance programme launched today by the Chief Minister at Binar in Bhiwandi tehsil of Thane district.

Six persons were given the biometric card marking the 51st anniversary of the foundation of Maharashtra state.

The programme aims at using biometric system for disbursement of money to the needy citizens below poverty line and would cover around 1.75 lakh people from three districts of Thane, Beed and Kolhapur in initial stage.

Minister for labour and special assistance Hasan Mushrif, who accompanied the CM, said the biometric scheme was launched with an initiative to plug loopholes in the existing schemes which are plagued by the instances of embezzlement.

He requested the chief minister to hike the amount of Rs 600 being paid to the needy under BPL category.

Chavan told the gathering that "We should prepare a blueprint for the development of the state for the next 50 years... this (blueprint) should also include comprehensive policies on industry, agricultural development and population growth."

He told media persons that bifurcation of Thane district was under active consideration of the state government.