The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution introduced the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme on a pilot basis in 2019 across four states. By January 1, 2020, 12 more states had joined the scheme. The Central Government reported that approximately 86% of beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) were covered by the ONORC scheme.
This initiative is particularly beneficial for migrant workers, ensuring their food security. Under the scheme, beneficiaries can access their entitled food grains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) across the country that is equipped with an electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) system. The portability feature allows beneficiaries to obtain their share of food grains from any location, while their families back home can access the remainder.
Latest Update on the ONORC Scheme
The ONORC scheme has now achieved nationwide implementation with Assam's adoption, bringing all 36 states and union territories under its purview. This makes food security portable across India. The scheme has facilitated the delivery of subsidized food grains worth ₹40,000 crore through portability, enabling 710 million transactions since its inception—436 million under the NFSA and 278 million under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).
Additionally, the ‘Mera Ration’ mobile application has been launched to enhance the benefits of ONORC. The app provides real-time information to beneficiaries and is available in 13 languages. As of June 2021, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, and West Bengal were the last states/UTs to be integrated into the ONORC scheme. The primary objective of this scheme is to ensure the seamless distribution of subsidized food grains to all migratory beneficiaries across India through the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Understanding the One Nation One Ration Card
The One Nation One Ration Card is a universal ration card designed to allow migrant workers and their families to access Public Distribution System (PDS) benefits from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) across India.
Key Features of ONORC:
- Existing ration cards will be converted into One Nation One Ration Cards.
- The card will be a universal identifier for beneficiaries registered under the NFSA.
- Beneficiaries can purchase subsidized food grains from any FPS, regardless of their location.
- Beneficiaries will be authenticated through biometric verification using ePoS devices installed at FPS locations.
- National portability is enabled through the Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS) portal and the Annavitran portal.
- Ration cards will be linked with Aadhar, simplifying access to subsidized food grains.
Significance of ONORC
ONORC is a significant reform in the public distribution system, aiming to make food grains accessible to every beneficiary across India. It integrates all states and union territories, ensuring that by March 2021, 81 crore beneficiaries will benefit from the scheme. The government has also introduced a helpline number to assist beneficiaries.
Benefits of ONORC
- Beneficiaries can receive subsidized food grains from any FPS nationwide, benefiting migrants in particular.
- The scheme allows beneficiaries to switch to another FPS in case of malpractices.
- ONORC will particularly help women and disadvantaged groups by providing access to the PDS without social identity barriers.
- The scheme contributes to the goal of eliminating hunger by 2030, addressing India's ranking of 102 out of 117 in the Global Hunger Index.
Challenges in Implementing ONORC
- Exclusion Errors: While digitization of the PDS through smart cards and Aadhar linking can reduce leakages, there have been instances of exclusion errors.
- Data Shortage: There is a lack of data on the population migrating to other cities, making it challenging to identify and serve beneficiaries.
- Domicile-Based Schemes: Many welfare schemes are still based on domicile, restricting access to non-native populations.
The One Nation One Ration Card Scheme is crucial for ensuring food security for all, particularly for migrant workers, and represents a significant step toward reforming India's Public Distribution System.
