Skywatch: Tata’s TCS bags biometric deal

The Trinamool Congress-led government,which is fighting a legal battle in the Supreme Court against Tata Motors on Singur land issue,has signed an agreement with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) – a sister concern of Tata group – to introduce biometric job card for MNREGA beneficiaries in West Bengal. The agreement was signed between the state Panchayat and Rural Development department and TCS in Kolkata on Friday. Panchayat Minister Subrata Mukherjee said it would be unfair to relate the court battle between the state government and Tatas with the engagement of TCS in preparing biometric job cards. “Some problems with Tatas regarding Singur had cropped up during earlier regime,but we do not have any enmity with the Tatas. The TCS was selected through bidding. Since this (the biometric system) is the best practiced model in the country we have selected the best professional agency.” The TCS will prepare the biometric job cards of MNREGA benefitiaries. The pilot project will be implemented in South 24-Parganas.