Much-awaited machine-readable smart national identity (NID) cards are being distributed in Uttara and Ramna of Dhaka and in now-defunct Dashiarchhara enclave in Fulbari upazila in Kurigram as per previous announcement on Monday.According to Election Commission, a total of 8 crore 10 lakh 58 thousand and 698 citizens got laminated NID cards eight years ago for the first time. But some unscrupulous people are forging those cards. The machine-readable smart cards will prevent this forgery.The card holders will get 22 types of services, including banking, TIN, driving license and passport.Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the distribution of the smart NID cards as the chief guest at a function at Osmani Memorial Hall in the city on Sunday morning.The premier formally opened the smart NID card distribution by handing over the smart NID card of President Abdul Hamid to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed.Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed was present at the function as the special guest, while Election Commission Secretariat Secretary Md Sirajul Islam delivered the welcome address.