During the celebration of Good Governance Week, Minister of Communication and IT, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad kicked off “Rural Information and Communication Technology” Project on 28th December by handing over the first lot of “Solar Powered”, Bio Metric Enabled Hand Held Devices to Branch Post Masters of 3 pilot states.
Ricoh India a leader in the field of Imaging and IT Solutions, is partnering with Department of Post for Implementing and Operating integrated Rural Hardware solution for around 1,30,000 post offices across India. Ricoh solution not only includes hand held devices with camera and bio metric facility but also includes set of solar panels at EDO level and network connectivity.
In order to ensure smooth functioning of the devices, Ricoh will also set up services centres across India.
As shared by the senior officials during the launch of the project, these mobile terminals will facilitate all postal and financial transactions in the rural branch offices, and upload this data to India Post data centre. This service will not only improve the delivery of services in the rural areas but will also be an important tool to improve the quality of service, provide more value added services and achieve “financial inclusion” of the un-banked rural population.
The Rural ICT Project is a part of the larger IT modernization project being undertaken by the Department of Posts.
Under the project Ricoh India will supply, install and maintain services of hardware, peripheral devices and operating system for “Rural Information & Communication Technology (ICT) - Hardware (RH)” Solution.
Mr. Manoj Kumar, Executive Vice President and CEO, Ricoh India said, “Being a company committed to excellence and innovation, Ricoh India is proud to be associated with this ambitious project launched by Department of Posts. India`s postal services is one of the largest networks in the world and with Ricoh established network of services and support infrastructure across India, we are confident of delivering the best value to Department of Posts and ensuring seamless integration of our products and services in this project by Ministry of IT and Communications. We are positive that through our product offerings and services we will be able to increase efficiencies, enhance service offerings and fulfill the objectives of Department of Posts”
This project will first will be launched at three pilot circles in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan. By March 2017, 1.30 lakh hand-held devices will be made available across rural branch offices. This instrument will revolutionise lives of people across villages. Booking and delivery of Speed Post, registered mail, money orders, sale of stamps and postal stationary will be done through these devices and paper receipts will be generated instantly. The scope of work includes supply of mobile computing devices and peripherals, installation of solar UPS, connectivity to access the application by service providers along with maintenance for five years.
