COMPUTERISATION OF BRANCH POST OFFICES PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION STRUCTURE: The IT Modernization Project of India Post has been designed to be implemented in eight contracts, Contract-I relates to Branch Post Offices. CONTRACT-I RURAL ICT HARDWARE FOR BRANCH POST OFFICES: The Vendor will supply and install Rural ICT Hardware devices and provide for network connectivity – to approximately 1.30 lakh GDS Branch Post Offices which will enable Branch Post Offices to perform all transactions electronically. RURAL ICT AND GDS EMPLOYEES: Rural ICT Solutions aims to significantly improve the day to day operations performed at Branch Post Offices in the following ways. 1. All the Postal, Savings Bank and RPLI functions would be performed through the devices; thus manual record keeping would be reduced. 2. The BO Daily Accounts and B.O. Summary would be automatically generated and electronically sent to the Accounts Office and Central Server. 3. Specimen Signature Book would be replaced by an advanced biometric method of authentication. 4. All new PLI applications forms will be processed through the devices thus resulting in faster issue of Polices. 5. Improved disbursement of money orders at the Branch Post Offices as a result of enhanced cash management systems. 6. Utility bills like telephone, electricity, water etc can be accepted online through the device in the future and electronic receipts can be given to the consumers. 7. MGNRES payments shall be done using the Rural ICT devices allowing the GDS Post Office to validate the identity of an individual through biometric data, thus reducing verification time and avoiding unauthorized users.