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Indian government plans to give pensions via NFC-mobile phone equipped centres |
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The Indian government plans to give its rural pensions via local centres equipped with NFC-based mobile phones until the end of 2008. 147 villages in Warangal district are already getting payments under the rural employment guarantee in this manner. The service runs via a NFC-enabled mobile phone, which synchronises with the bank’s server over a wireless connection.
Banks’ business correspondents such as local Non Government Organisations or local authorities centres are equipped with NFC enabled mobile phones, contactless RFID smart cards and integrated biometrics. Personal information is registered and then sent via Bluetooth to a mobile phone that synchronises with the bank’s server. Banks issue smart cards with biometric information to pensioners in order to ensure that the person operating the account is the same person who opens the account. The mobile phone serves as the bank’s computer in the village and all deposit/withdrawal transactions get reported to the bank on daily or even hourly basis.14 banks are already using this system in 42 districts in 17 states. The government gives banks 2 percent of the amounts being transferred as commission, while the bank shares this with its business correspondents. |
