One Nation, One Ration Card scheme implemented in Assam

Tags: Government Schemes State News

Assam has become the 36th state of the country to implement the One Nation One Ration Card scheme.

• After being implemented in Assam, this scheme has been successfully implemented in 36 states and union territories across the country.

• The scheme has made a significant contribution in ensuring subsidized food grains to the beneficiaries especially the migrant beneficiaries during the COVID pandemic.

• In a very short span of time, it covered 80 crore beneficiaries.

• Since the scheme's implementation in August 2019, around 71 crore portable transactions have taken place under it, food grains equivalent to Rs 40 thousand crore have been distributed as food subsidy.

• Mera Ration mobile app

• Mera Ration mobile application was launched to make this scheme more seamless and faster.

• This mobile app is providing useful real time information to the beneficiaries and is available in 13 languages.

• About ‘One Nation, One Ration Card' scheme

• It was launched by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in 2019 on a pilot basis in 4 states.

• It aims to ensure hassle free delivery of subsidized food grains to all migrant beneficiaries anywhere in the country under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

• Under this scheme, migrant beneficiaries are entitled to get food grains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice anywhere in the country using their existing ration card with biometric authentication.

• Benefits of the scheme

• This will help in reducing the number of dual ration card holders.

• This is in line with the motto of Minimum Government Maximum Governance.

• Centralised authorised shop data can be used to formulate policies on inter- and inter-state migration.

• It will help to improve India's ranking in the Global Hunger Index. 

• National Food Security Act, 2013

• It was introduced by the Government of India in 2013.

• The Act is in line with Goal Two of the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations General Assembly.

• Goal 2 aims to end hunger in all its forms by 2030 and create sustainable solutions to achieve food security.

• The Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS), Public Distribution System (PDS), and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) are covered under this Act.