Imagine this: You’ve just landed a fantastic new job in a different city, miles away from your hometown. But amidst the excitement, a nagging worry pops up – how will you manage your rations? Well, fret no more! Thanks to the “One Nation, One Ration Card” (ONORC) scheme, you can access subsidized food grains like rice and wheat from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) across India, just like you did back home.
No More Ration Card Worries for Migrants: A Boon for Food Security
India has a large migrant population, with people constantly moving for work, education, or other reasons. Before ONORC, this mobility often meant leaving behind their ration cards and facing food insecurity in their new location. Obtaining a new ration card in a different state could be a tedious process, and sometimes, near impossible.
The ONORC scheme solves this problem beautifully. By enabling inter-state portability of ration cards, it empowers migrants to seamlessly access their entitled quota of subsidized food grains from any FPS in the country. This ensures their food security remains uncompromised, regardless of where they live and work.
How Does ONORC Work? A Simple Yet Effective System
The ONORC scheme leverages technology to create a unified system across all states. Here’s a breakdown of the key steps:
- Nationwide Integration: Existing ration card systems of different states are linked to a central platform.
- Aadhaar Seeding: Beneficiaries link their Aadhaar number (a unique 12-digit identification number) with their ration card.
- Biometric Authentication: When a beneficiary visits an FPS, their identity is verified through fingerprint or iris scan.
- Portability in Action: Based on the linked ration card and biometric verification, the FPS fulfills the beneficiary’s quota of subsidized food grains.
This streamlined process ensures transparency and eliminates the need for physical ration cards or separate registration in a new state.
Benefits Beyond Migrants: A Wider Reach for Food Security
While migrant workers are the primary beneficiaries, ONORC offers advantages to a broader section of the population:
- Reduced Food Wastage: Earlier, due to lack of portability, some beneficiaries might not have been able to utilize their entire quota in a different location. ONORC prevents this wastage.
- Convenience for Everyone: Even those who haven’t migrated but might find themselves in a different city for a short period can benefit from the scheme.
- Targeted Delivery: The Aadhaar-based verification ensures the right beneficiaries receive their entitlements.
The scheme is still under development, but with each passing year, it’s reaching more and more people. As of January 2024, data shows a significant rise in inter-state portability transactions, indicating its growing impact on national food security.
The Road Ahead: A Scheme with Continuous Improvement
The ONORC scheme is a significant step towards ensuring inclusive food security in India. However, there’s always room for improvement:
- Spreading Awareness: Reaching out to remote areas and educating people about the scheme’s benefits is crucial for wider adoption.
- Technical Glitches: While the system is robust, occasional technical issues can arise. Ensuring smooth functioning across all FPS outlets is essential.
- Expanding Coverage: The scheme currently covers beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act. Looking ahead, including other eligible sections of the population could further strengthen food security.
With continued efforts towards streamlining the process, addressing challenges, and raising awareness, the “One Nation, One Ration Card” scheme holds immense potential to create a hunger-free India where everyone has access to affordable food, irrespective of their location.
