'One Nation, One Ration Card' scheme of the Union Government is being implemented by 32 States and Union Territories, reaching about 69 crore beneficiaries, said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 1 February 2021, while announcing the Union Budget. Migrant workers in particular benefit from this scheme, those staying away from their families can partially claim their rations where they are stationed, while their family in their native places can claim the rest.
What
The Finance Minister informed that the scheme has covered 86 per ent of the beneficiaries, adding that the remaining four states and UTs will be integrated into the scheme in the coming few months.
This will help formulate health, housing, skill, insurance credit and food schemes for all migrant workers.
The government will conclude the implementation of four labour codes and social security benefits will be extended to gig and platform workers.
What is the one ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ system?
In the present system, a ration cardholder can buy foodgrains only from an FPS that has been assigned to her in the locality in which she lives.
However, this will change once the ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ system becomes operational nationally.
This is how it will work: Suppose a beneficiary lives in the district of Basti in Uttar Pradesh and migrates to Mumbai for work.
Currently, she is no longer able to purchase subsidised food grains from a PDS shop in her new locality in Mumbai.
However, under the ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ system, the beneficiary will be able to buy subsidised foodgrains from any FPS across the country.
The new system, based on a technological solution, will identify a beneficiary through biometric authentication on electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices installed at the FPSs, and enable that person to purchase the number of foodgrains to which she is entitled under the NFSA.
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