Smart Card scheme that would enable beneficiaries of various social welfare schemes such as old age and destitute pension to draw the money from banks was launched in Madurai on Tuesday.

The objective of the scheme was to implement welfare schemes in the 'best possible way' and avoid middlemen, district collector U Sagayam said launching it at Shivarakottai near Tirumangalam, about 30 km from Maduri.

Hitherto, old age pension was sent through Money Order and the beneficiaries had to shell out some money for receiving their pension from the postman.

The new scheme had been introduced to avoid middlemen and would help the beneficiaries to draw from the bank whatever amount they needed.

It was being introduced in villages with more than 2000 population, where bank facility was not available. The scheme would be initially launched in 22 villages and extended to all 160 villages where the population was more than 2000, the Collector said.