India's first smart card based PDS solution by HCL Infosystems

India's first smart card based solutions for Public Distribution System in the union territory of Chandigarh has been bagged by HCL Infosystems India's premier hardware, services and ICT system Integration Company. The project will see distribution of smart card based ration cards to the families living below poverty line in the region.

These smart cards will capture all biometric, tax, demographic and personal information details, enabling authorities to ensure proper distribution of food rationing and other benefits. This first of its kind deployment resonates well with the Government's national initiative "Aadhar' (UID project) and reinforces the company's expertise in the space. This selection comes after extensive scrutiny, solution demonstration and evaluation by various committees and also a nodal agency HARTRON (Haryana Electronics Development Cooperation) which found HCL Infosystems with its expertise best suited to deploy this unique solution.

Commenting on the project Mr. J.V. Ramamurthy, President & COO, HCL Infosystems Ltd said, "It gives me immense pleasure to see HCL Infosystems leading the way with India's first deployment for a technology led PDS solution. Technology today is changing the way local authorities across the globe reach out to their citizens. As Public Distribution System is vital for sustained living of the people living below the poverty line, this project is a step in right direction to make the Public Distribution System more robust and effective by deploying path-breaking technology. The project will ensure that the benefits of the public distribution system will reach the grass root levels and we at HCL Infosystems are proud to be a part of such nation building project."

This project also highlights the constant endeavor of HCL Infosystems to introduce various IT services, products and new practice areas such as innovative services and system Integration applications to strengthen and consolidate its offerings. With its focus on new product development HCL Infosystems has successfully worked upon IP creation for over 30 products.

Public Distribution System (PDS) is the distribution network of essential commodities to a large number of people through a chain of Fair Price Shops. PDS is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and the State Governments. The Central government takes care of the procurement, storage, transportation and bulk allocation of foodgrains, etc, whereas State Governments look after the distribution of the same to the consumers through the network of Fair Price Shops.