NITI FOR USE OF BLOCKCHAIN IN LAND RECORDS, PDS, HEALTHCARE
Federal think tank NITI Aayog has zeroed in on a number of areas in which the government can use blockchain technology and take the lead over private players, according to officials working on a study to “explore uses of blockchain technology in governance”.
Land records management, supply chain management, including public distribution system and pharmaceutical supplies, electronic health records and healthcare are areas the group of officials has identified on the basis of smaller Proof of Concept (PoC) studies.
Started in December, the study will conclude by March end, a NITI Aayog official said.
“The report will act as a framework for the central and state ministries for the adoption of the technology. It is more of an evaluative process,” Aalekh Sharan, officer on special duty at the think tank and part of the group conducting the study said.
Blockchain is a digital database of transactions that uses encryption and shared network of decentralised computers to independently record and verify the exchanges, preventing data theft, hacking and manipulation.
While anyone can check the transaction history, cryptography and peer-to-peer oversight make manipulation impossible.
Because it does not require manual processing or third-party verification, the technology has the potential to make transactions faster, more reliable and easier to audit.
Made famous by crypto currencies, the technology has a number of applications though.
“In titling, the land registry and record of rights are not currently linked. Blockchain can link both and give buyers the historical ownership details,” one of the officials said. “Right now, due diligence in a property transaction is very difficult for the buyer, but blockchain can make it possible at the touch of a button.”
Blockchain can also be used to maintain a comprehensive and verifiable database of all educational qualification certificates issued in the country, thus eliminating the problem of fake degrees.
NEW DELHI: