Bartronics India, a provider of end-to-end-solutions based on AIDC technologies, has been chosen to implement the Bhamashah Project, under which Rajasthan Government will provide banking access to nearly 50 lakh below poverty line (BPL) families.

Bartronics India recently signed an agreement with the Government of Rajasthan initiating the first phase of the Bhamashah Project.

"This is one among a series of financial inclusion initiatives announced by the Union Government. It exemplifies that technology can play a crucial role in benefitting the rural and marginalised", said Sudhir Rao, managing director, Bartronics India.

The first phase, which kicked off on July 1, will be commissioned within three months and Bartronics will manage the project at least for the next 10 years.

The scheme aims to bring banking access to all below poverty line (BPL), small and marginal farmers and identified families of SC/ST in rural areas through biometric identifiable smart cards, providing them with financial relief through a financial inclusion process.

Under the Bhamashah Financial Empowerment Scheme, the Rajasthan Government shall deposit Rs 1,500 into the bank accounts of 50 lakh rural families, belonging to the above specified categories. Besides this, health insurance will be provided for all BPL families in rural areas, in the first stage. During this phase, Bartronics will also operationalise a Data Centre for the project.

The enrolment and personalisation of family information with biometrics shall be taken up simultaneously for the identified families. Bartronics intends using 64k smart cards for the project, which will hold all personal data, biometric information as well as enable banking transactions. Each enrolled family will be assisted in establishing bank accounts.

Besides the above, Bartronics will establish 'Points of Service', which will act like mobile banking terminals as per RBI norms. These will enable banking transactions on the opened accounts.

During the transaction phase, Bartronics intends employing over 2,000 persons.