GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3223
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23-4-2008

TECHNOLOGY TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF CENTRAL SCHEMES

3223. SHRI C. RAMACHANDRAIAH:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

(a) whether his Ministry is initiating measures to evolve technologies which ensure effective implementation of Central schemes and to ensure transparency;
(b) if so, whether the use of smart card/chip which the Government of Andhra Pradesh is using to implement NREGA is being considered to make use on large scale;
(c) if so, the details containing the introduction of technology to asses the implementation of schemes; and
(d) if not, the reasons for not taking measures to bring transparency and not considering the break through made in Andhra Pradesh?

ANSWER

MINISTER FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES
(KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) & (c): With a view to ensure implementation and transparency, Web- based information on all the Central schemes are kept in public domain. For National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and Social Security Pension (SSP) Schemes, smart card/chip technology was used in Andhra Pradesh as a pilot project in 8 mandals of Warangal and Karimnagar districts. It has been decided to launch this technology on a larger scale to cover the entire State of Andhra Pradesh in a phased manner. For this purpose, this technology will equally be useful for other banking services like savings, credit, deposits etc.

(d) Does not arise.