Ration Card: Big news for ration card holders. Over 800 million individuals in the nation benefit from monthly rations through the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana. The government frequently updates the regulations associated with this program. Recently, a new change has been introduced. Now, eligible citizens can buy grains at affordable prices from any ration shop throughout the country.
This system resembles the banking model. Just as you can withdraw cash from any ATM in the country regardless of your bank account, the government has established a similar approach for ration distribution. This modification is part of the government’s “One Nation One Ration Card” (ONORC) initiative. With this system, ration card holders can conveniently collect their rations from various fair price shops. It is anticipated that this change will minimize long lines, ensure easy access to subsidized rations, and enhance the overall ration distribution framework nationwide.
Under the updated system, beneficiaries are no longer restricted to a single ration shop for their monthly supplies. They can obtain wheat from one fair price shop and rice from another, based on what is available and what suits them best. This added flexibility aims to prevent families from facing challenges in receiving their complete ration due to stock shortages, technical issues, or overcrowding at a specific shop.
Union Minister of State BL Verma stated that through the ONORC scheme, eligible beneficiaries can collect their ration from any fair price shop across the country. The system is intended to operate like ATM banking, allowing individuals to withdraw money from any ATM, regardless of their registered account. In the same way, ration card holders can now access their grains from multiple locations without being confined to a particular shop.
The “One Nation, One Ration Card” scheme was launched to ensure a nationwide distribution of ration cards under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). It allows beneficiaries, especially migrant workers and their families, to access subsidized food grains anywhere in India through Aadhaar-based biometric authentication. The scheme has been implemented in all states and union territories, making food security benefits accessible across the country.