1 crore ‘fake’ ration cards identified in Maharashtra with the help of technology: CM
In keeping with its goal of driving efficiency with the use of technology, the state will soon adopt a new model for IT contracts that will allow more firms to bid for government contracts (Representational Image)
Technology has helped in identifying as many as 1 crore fake ration cards in the state, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday.
The CM also announced the new model request for proposal (RFP) for inviting tenders for IT contracts which is jointly developed by industry lobby NASSCOM and the Union Ministry of Electronics & IT.
“The public distribution system (PDS) has changed through technology initiatives. With all the digital initiatives, we have actually found out 10 million (1 crore) fake ration cards,” Fadnavis announced at the annual NASSCOM leadership forum.
Addressing the IT industry’s demand for structuring tender contracts, Fadnavis said that the model RFP will be adopted by the state in two months.
The industry had earlier raised concerns over the selection of bidders, arguing that IT contracts are different from conventional work and awarding work to lowest bidder may not be the optimum solution.
Additionally, disbursing payments only at the end of work may not be a feasible option for many firms.
Maharashtra, which has a population of over 11 crore, is utilising technology across every sphere to drive efficiency.
The state has already benefited from the reduction in malnutrition-related deaths, increased adoption of ‘Aaple Sarkar’ citizen portal and substantial decline in the use of paper for government work owing to technology.
The IT industry has become a USD 180 billion behemoth, employing four million people directly and serving 75 percent of the Fortune 500 companies, NASSCOM president Debjani Ghosh said.
