One Nation One Ration Card Scheme: A Step Towards Food Security

Many people need help to afford nutritious food in India due to poverty and migration. Food security is a fundamental human right for everyone. The Government of India launched the One Nation One Ration Card Scheme (ONORCS) in response to this critical issue. This scheme was started in 2019 to provide portability of food rations to all eligible beneficiaries. In this article, we will talk about the objectives, key features, eligibility criteria, target beneficiaries, the status of ONORCS in 2023, its successes, challenges, application process, and conclude with its significance.

Objectives of One Nation One Ration Card Scheme

These are the objectives of the One Nation One Ration Card Scheme (ONORCS):

1. One Nation One Ration Card (वन नेशन वन राशन कार्ड) scheme provides food grains to all NFSA beneficiaries through their existing ration cards or Aadhar cards. These beneficiaries include migrant workers and their families.
2. ONORCS empowers beneficiaries to choose any FPS that suits their convenience and preference. It reduces their dependency on a single shop.
3. This scheme improves the efficiency and transparency of the public distribution system (PDS) by leveraging technology and Aadhaar authentication.
4. It reduces the leakage and diversion of food grains, ultimately conserving public resources.

Key Features of ONORCS

The ONORCS incorporates several key features to realize its objectives:

1. Tech-Driven System

The one nation one ration card yojana is a technologically advanced system that enables nationwide portability of ration cards. It is achieved by installing electronic point of sale (ePoS) devices at FPSs, linking the Aadhaar numbers of beneficiaries with their ration cards, and conducting biometrically authenticated ePoS transactions in states and Union Territories (UTs).

2. Flexible Authentication

Beneficiaries can quote their ration card or Aadhaar number at any FPS in the country. Family members who have linked their Aadhaar to the ration card can also undergo authentication and collect their rations without carrying the physical cards.

3. Partial Ration Availability

One nation one ration card yojana allows beneficiaries to claim whole or partial food grains from any FPS in the country through portability. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for families with members in different locations.

4. Mera Ration Mobile App

A mobile application called ‘Mera Ration’ provides real-time information to beneficiaries. It offers details of entitlements, nearby FPS locations, and the status of portability transactions in 13 languages.

Eligibility

People have to meet some eligibility criteria to enroll in the One Nation One Ration Card scheme:

1. Citizenship: The beneficiary must be an Indian citizen and a resident of any state or UT.
2. Valid Ration Card: The beneficiary must have a right ration card issued under NFSA by any state or UT government.
3. Aadhaar Linkage: The beneficiary must have linked their Aadhaar number with their ration card.
4. Access to ePoS FPS: The beneficiary must have access to an ePoS-enabled FPS in any state or UT.

Target Beneficiaries

The ONORCS aims to benefit a wide range of individuals and groups, including:

1. The scheme covers all eligible ration card holders and beneficiaries under NFSA nationwide.
2. Migrant workers who move from one place to another for livelihood or other reasons.
3. This category includes rag pickers, street dwellers, temporary workers, and domestic workers who often face difficulties accessing PDS benefits at their residences.
4. Any other vulnerable groups that require food security.

Status in 2023

As of October 2023, the ONORCS has been successfully implemented in all 36 states and UTs. It has covered approximately 86% of NFSA beneficiaries. According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, more than 710 million portable transactions have occurred under ONORCS since its inception. Out of these, 436 million were conducted under NFSA, while 278 million were under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), which provides additional free food grains to NFSA beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ministry has also reported that subsidized food grains worth Rs 40,000 crore have been delivered to beneficiaries through portability.

Success

The ONORCS has received widespread acclaim as a groundbreaking reform in ensuring food security and the welfare of millions in India. Several success stories illustrate its impact:

• A migrant worker from UP, employed as a carpenter in Delhi, effortlessly accessed his entitled food grains from a nearby FPS using his Aadhaar number.
• A domestic worker in Mumbai conveniently accessed her ration from any FPS of her choice using her ration card number.
• A rag picker from Uttar Pradesh availed his food grains from a local FPS using his Aadhaar number, while also assisting his family back home to claim their share of ration on the same card.
• A widow from Rajasthan, who relocated to Gujarat to live with her daughter after losing her husband and son in a road accident, successfully collected her food grains from a Gujarat FPS using her ration card number.

Challenges

There are several challenges and limitations persist despite the remarkable achievements of ONORCS:

1. ePoS Device Availability

The lack of adequate ePoS devices at some FPSs, especially in remote and rural areas, hinders the smooth implementation of portability transactions.

2. Internet and Power Issues

Poor internet connectivity and power supply at some FPSs affect Aadhaar authentication and data transmission processes. 

3. Low Awareness and Literacy

Some beneficiaries need help understanding and using the ONORCS system and mobile app due to low awareness and literacy levels.

4. Price and Entitlement Variations

Variations in the entitlements and prices of food grains across different states and UTs can create confusion and dissatisfaction among some beneficiaries.

How to Apply for One Nation One Ration Card Scheme?

Applying for the benefits of ONORCS is a straightforward process. Below, you can check all the details for one nation one ration card apply online:

1. Interested individuals must visit the nearest Fair Price Shop (FPS) with their ration card.
2. Quote either the ration card number or the Aadhaar number to the FPS dealer. Any family member who has linked their Aadhaar to the ration card can undergo authentication and collect the ration.
3. There is no requirement to share or carry the ration card or Aadhaar card with the FPS dealer to avail of the benefit.
4. Beneficiaries can also utilize the ‘Mera Ration’ mobile app to access more information and assistance.

Conclusion

The One Nation One Ration Card Scheme (ONORCS) is a visionary initiative that provides food security. Also, it upholds the dignity of all NFSA beneficiaries across India. It represents a significant step towards realizing the goal of ‘One Nation, One Market’ for food grains. It is a lifeline for migrant workers and urban poor facing various challenges accessing PDS benefits. ONORCS has the potential to revolutionize food security and welfare for all the beneficiaries.