Infotech Lead India: Accenture has signed a 12-month deal with the Punjab state government to deliver Aadhaar biometric identification program efficiently.
As per the contract, Accenture will handle technology and management consulting services to reengineer and implement the way beneficiary programs are delivered in Punjab under the Aadhaar biometric identification program.
The government IT contract, which will enhance program accountability and create a way to trace service delivery, will also assist the state to identify eligible citizens and eliminate duplicate and incorrect records for the Department of Food and Civil Supplies.
Accenture says the biometric-based service delivery model will provide the government with a simplified process for targeting beneficiaries by ensuring accurate inclusion of recipients, reducing the cost of service delivery by using direct, government-to-citizens payments.
Nilaya Varma, managing director with Accenture’s Health & Public Service operating group in India, said: “The delivery of government to citizen services and benefits efficiently will pave the way in ensuring economic inclusion. Technology will aid the process and create significant cost savings that can be used for other development activities.”
As the project manager, Accenture also will help the state increase citizen awareness on the goals and objectives of Aadhaar, and support the government with any required legal and policy changes.
Accenture will leverage Accenture Digital Government Services to successfully execute the contract.
“Aadhaar provides a national unique identity to each resident that will be portable, digital and verifiable online. Citizens will benefit from a simplified process of establishing identity. Biometric based authentication will replace the paper based verification/authentication being done for residents adding to their convenience,” said Parminder Singh, Nodal officer, Registrar UID Punjab cum Joint Secretary Food & Supplies Department, Government of Punjab.
