One Nation One Ration Card Scheme

One Nation One Ration Card Scheme was first implemented by the state of Gujarat. An initiative of the Central Government, One Nation One Ration Card Scheme is a technology driven scheme that aims nationwide portability of ration card under the National Food Security Act, 2013. The scheme is extremely beneficial especially for migrants and the people covered under the NFSA. The beneficiaries can opt for buying their ration from any Fair Price Shop at subsidized rate all over India by using their ration cards through biometric authentication. Beneficiaries fingerprints and irises will be used as a record for verification purposes and all the family members living back home can also utilize the scheme for getting subsidized food grains using the same ration card. To support the initiative further, the central government also launched the “MERA RATION” mobile app. 

One Nation One Ration Card Scheme Objectives

One Nation One Ration Card Scheme has the following Objectives: 

• This scheme is a beneficiary centric interstate ration card portability scheme. 
• The scheme will empower cardholders with food security all over the country. 
• Beneficiaries will be eligible to claim full or partial share of food grains at subsidized prices using their ration number or aadhaar card. 

One Nation One Ration Card Scheme Features 

Following are the features of One Nation One Ration Card Scheme are: 

The One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC) initiative is now active across 35 states and Union Territories, benefiting approximately 77 crore individuals, which accounts for about 96.8% of the total National Food Security Act (NFSA) population.Key Features are:

• Nationwide Access: Beneficiaries can avail themselves of their entitled food grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) across the country.
• Technological Backbone: The Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS) portal serves as the digital platform enabling interstate ration card portability.
• ePoS Devices: An IT-driven system, supported by the installation of electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices in FPS outlets, ensures seamless operations.
• Pre-System Limitation: Previously, ration cardholders could only access subsidized food grains from a specific FPS assigned to their area.

This initiative enhances accessibility and convenience for beneficiaries, particularly for migrant workers. 

One Nation One Ration Card Importance

The One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) initiative holds immense significance:

• Interstate Portability: Ensures beneficiaries can access subsidized food grains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) across the country, enhancing transparency in food grain allocation.
• Right to Food: Upholds the National Food Security Act, 2013, allowing ration cardholders to claim their entitlements without needing a new ration card when relocating to another state.
• Seamless Accessibility: Portability enables beneficiaries to partially or fully avail of their entitlements from the FPS of their choice, breaking geographical barriers and ensuring food security for all.
• Social Inclusion: Reduces discrimination against women and marginalized groups in accessing the Public Distribution System (PDS).
• Global Hunger Target: Contributes to India’s efforts to eradicate hunger by 2030, despite its 107th rank in the 2022 Global Hunger Index.
• Leakage Prevention: Linked with Aadhaar and biometric authentication, the scheme eliminates duplicate entries, reducing corruption and leakages in the system.
• Support for Migrants: Especially beneficial for migrant workers, who form 37% of the population, by allowing uninterrupted access to food grains regardless of location.

Previously, ration cardholders were restricted to designated FPS within their state. ONORC removes these restrictions, ensuring equitable food distribution and enhanced efficiency in the Public Distribution System.

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