Team Anna launches SMS service

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 said, 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 Rs5 lakh at the existing market rate for SMSes.

"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.