New Delhi: The Planning Commission of India has said that the use of the multi-application smart cards system (MASCs)could help simplify the implementation procedures and enhance the efficiency of government schemes.
According to the working group of the Commission that examined the design and potential use of the system, the use of MASCs can help the government improve the outcome of various central government schemes—including PDS, Indira Awas Yojana and the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).
These studies could form the basis for the introduction of a smart card system and a Web-enabled information system, on an experimental basis.
According to the Commission, the smart cards system will be based on unique ID, sharing of ID, multi-application and access control.
It added that the entire system will consist of front, middle and back end, where the electronic card will be the front end of the integrated smart card system.
The Planning Commission stated that the front end is the point of delivery of the system where the smart cards will be read and used.
The middle office will be responsible for charging and updating the card periodically—month, quarter and annual—depending on the type of information and the requirement and transfer information from the front end to the back end and vice versa, the Commission added.
The examination has revealed that the back end set-up will contain the computerised records, guidelines, accounts and management information systems.
According to the Commission, the complete system would require complete digitisation of the records.