Team Anna launches SMS cards

Lucknow, April 6 (IANS) Team Anna has launched a pan-India SMS card to spread information about the campaign against corruption. One crore cards, priced at Rs.25, have been issued in the first phase and are doing brisk business in Uttar Pradesh.

The scratch card, which comes with a specific number, a Team Anna core member told IANS, has been issued keeping in mind the "sometimes positive, negative and neutral" coverage by the media.

This, India Against Corruption (IAC) activists say, leaves the supporters either confused or ill-informed.

The Anna SMS Card, once purchased, would keep the holder informed about activities of IAC for one year.

With a data base of more than three crore mobile numbers, the service, if used in one go for bulk SMSing, would cost IAC Rs.5 lakh at the existing market rate for SMSs.

"Faced with fund crunch, IAC has decided to rake up the money from the supporters," said Vaibhav Maheshwari, an active member of Team Anna in Uttar Pradesh.

IAC has purchased bulk SMSs from a server in Mumbai.