Understanding “One Nation One Ration Card” Scheme for UPSC Prelims
The “One Nation One Ration Card” (ONORC) scheme is a landmark initiative by the Government of India aimed at ensuring food security across the country. By making subsidized food grains available to beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) regardless of their location, the scheme addresses the challenges of portability in the Public Distribution System (PDS). This blog explores the details of the ONORC scheme, its benefits, implementation, challenges, and relevance for UPSC Prelims.
The Concept of “One Nation One Ration Card”
The ONORC scheme ensures that beneficiaries of the PDS can access subsidized food grains anywhere in India using their existing ration card and Aadhaar-linked identification. This portability is particularly crucial for migrant workers, who often face difficulties in accessing food security benefits outside their home states.
Key features:
- Portability: Beneficiaries can claim their share of subsidized food grains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) in the country.
- Technology-Driven: The scheme leverages the Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS) and Aadhaar seeding.
- Inter-State and Intra-State Portability: It allows ration portability within states (intra-state) and across states (inter-state).
Objectives of the One Nation One Ration Card Scheme
- Food Security for Migrants: Ensures uninterrupted access to food grains for migrant workers, estimated to be around 30% of India’s population.
- Eradication of Duplication: Prevents duplication and misuse of ration cards.
- Efficiency in PDS: Improves transparency and efficiency in the delivery of food grains.
- Financial Inclusion: Promotes Aadhaar-linked identification for better record-keeping and accountability.
Implementation Mechanism
- Aadhaar Seeding: Ration cards are linked to Aadhaar to authenticate beneficiaries.
- Electronic Point of Sale (e-PoS): Fair Price Shops are equipped with e-PoS devices for real-time authentication.
- IM-PDS Portal: Centralized data management for the portability of ration cards.
- Coordination with States: States are responsible for implementing intra-state portability, while the central government oversees inter-state portability.
Relevance of One Nation One Ration Card for UPSC Prelims
For UPSC aspirants, understanding the ONORC scheme is essential as it is linked to multiple subjects, including Governance, Welfare Schemes, and Economic Policies.
Key Points to Remember:
- Launched: August 2019.
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution.
- Technology Backbone: Aadhaar and IM-PDS.
- Beneficiaries: Over 80 crore people covered under NFSA.
- Constitutional Relevance: Article 47 of the Directive Principles of State Policy mandates the state to raise the standard of nutrition and public health.
Benefits of the ONORC Scheme
- For Migrant Workers:
- Access to subsidized food grains irrespective of their location.
- Addresses the issue of food insecurity during crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
- For States:
- Better monitoring and accountability in PDS.
- Reduced leakage and corruption.
- For Citizens:
- Convenience and flexibility in accessing food grains.
- Promotes financial inclusion through Aadhaar-linked systems.
- For Governance:
- Enhances federal cooperation.
- Builds a transparent, tech-driven welfare system.
Challenges in Implementation
- Technological Gaps:
- Many FPS lack e-PoS devices or face frequent outages.
- Connectivity issues in remote and rural areas hinder real-time transactions.
- State Cooperation:
- Resistance from some states due to concerns over revenue sharing and operational autonomy.
- Exclusion Errors:
- Aadhaar authentication failures, often due to biometric mismatches or technical glitches, can exclude genuine beneficiaries.
- Awareness and Accessibility:
- Many beneficiaries, especially in rural areas, are unaware of the scheme or its benefits.
Case Studies: ONORC in Action
- COVID-19 Relief: During the COVID-19 lockdown, ONORC played a critical role in ensuring food security for migrant workers stranded far from their native states.
- Bihar and Jharkhand: Migrant workers from Bihar and Jharkhand working in Maharashtra were able to access their food entitlements seamlessly due to ONORC.
Sources for Studying the One Nation One Ration Card Scheme
- Government Websites:
- Sleepy Classes Resources:
- Current Affairs modules and welfare scheme lectures.
- Detailed analysis of food security in GS papers.
- Reports and Journals:
- Economic Survey (check the Social Sector chapter).
- NITI Aayog Reports on Public Distribution System.
- External Resources:
Integrating One Nation One Ration Card into UPSC Answers
- Introduction: Begin with a constitutional reference or significant fact.
Example: “The ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ scheme is a critical step toward achieving Article 47 of the Indian Constitution, which emphasizes the right to nutrition.” - Body:
- Discuss the objectives, features, and benefits.
- Include challenges and possible solutions.
- Use statistics to back your points. For instance, “Over 69 crore portability transactions have been completed under ONORC.”
- Conclusion: End with a forward-looking statement.
Example: “ONORC has the potential to transform India’s food security system, but achieving its full potential requires robust technological and cooperative federalism.”
Current Relevance of One Nation One Ration Card
As of 2024, ONORC covers all states and union territories, ensuring universal portability. It has been lauded as a game-changer in social welfare delivery, particularly in the context of India’s migrant population. With its seamless integration into the digital economy, ONORC is poised to play a pivotal role in India’s journey toward inclusive growth.
Conclusion
The “One Nation One Ration Card” scheme exemplifies how technology and governance can combine to create an inclusive welfare system. For UPSC Prelims, understanding its key features, challenges, and implications is crucial. By ensuring food security for millions of Indians, ONORC not only upholds constitutional values but also sets a benchmark for future welfare initiatives. Aspirants must focus on its technological, social, and federal dimensions, as questions on this scheme are highly likely in both Prelims and Mains.
This blog integrates the key aspects of the ONORC scheme, along with resources for in-depth study and practical examples, ensuring a holistic understanding for UPSC preparation.
