MASCS

The Multi-Application Smart Cards (MASCs) system to facilitate simplification of procedures and enhancing the efficiency of Government

schemes has been suggested by a Planning Commission Working Group in the context of the Eleventh Five Year Plan. The Smart Card (i.e., MASCs) has been recognised to be useful in implementation of various Central government schemes like, PDS, Indira Awas Yojana and National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).

Based on a web-enabled information system the Smart Cards will be based on unique ID, sharing ID, multi-application and access control. The whole system will consist of front, middle, and back end. The electronic card will be the ‘front’ end of the system which will be the point of delivery where the smart cards will be read and used. The office at ‘middle’ will be responsible for changing and updating the card periodically (i.e., monthly, quarterly, annually) depending on the type of information and requirement and transfer information from the front end to the back end and vice versa. The office at ‘back’ end will contain the computerised records, guidelines, accounts and management information systems. The complete digitisation of records will be required by this system.