About
- The One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme is a revolutionary initiative by the Government of India to improve food security and ensure access to subsidized food grains for all eligible citizens across the nation.
- The scheme primarily focuses on migrant laborers and their families, providing them the flexibility to access food entitlements from any location in India.
Background of One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC)
- India’s Public Distribution System (PDS) has been a lifeline for millions of people, especially those living below the poverty line.
- However, the conventional system tied beneficiaries to specific Fair Price Shops (FPS), making it difficult for migrant workers to access food entitlements.
- Recognizing this limitation, the Government of India launched the ONORC scheme in August 2019 to enable portability of ration cards across the nation.
- By July 2021, all 36 states and Union Territories were integrated into the ONORC network.
Key Objectives of ONORC
The primary objectives of the scheme include:
- Portability of Ration Cards:
- Allow ration cardholders to access food grains from any FPS in India.
- Food Security for Migrants:
- Ensure that migrant workers and their families have uninterrupted access to food subsidies.
- Transparency and Accountability:
- Reduce corruption, leakage, and diversion of food grains by leveraging technology and digitization.
- Women Empowerment:
- Grant equal access to food subsidies for families led by women, ensuring that no one is excluded.
How Does ONORC Work?
ONORC allows beneficiaries to avail their food entitlements through both inter-state and intra-state portability:
- Inter-State Portability:
- Beneficiaries can collect their food grains from any FPS outside their home state. For example, a ration cardholder from Bihar can access food entitlements in Maharashtra.
- Intra-State Portability:
- Beneficiaries can access food entitlements from any FPS within their home state, even if they relocate to another district or town.
Steps in the Process:
- Aadhaar Linking:
- Ration cards are linked to Aadhaar to authenticate beneficiaries.
- ePOS Devices:
- FPS dealers use electronic Point of Sale (ePOS) devices to verify identity and record transactions in real-time.
- Unified Database:
- All ration card data is digitized and maintained in a centralized national database for easy access and verification.
Key Features of ONORC
- Portability Across India:
- Enables beneficiaries to access ration cards anywhere in the country.
- Real-Time Authentication:
- Transactions are verified using Aadhaar-linked authentication through ePOS devices.
- Digitized Ration Cards:
- All ration cards are digitized to enable easy tracking, verification, and portability.
- National Database:
- A centralized database ensures that beneficiaries can access their entitlements from any location.
Benefits of One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC)
The ONORC scheme provides several advantages:
- Food Security for Migrants:
- Millions of migrant laborers can access food grains irrespective of their location.
- It eliminates the need for re-registration or applying for a new ration card when migrating to a different state.
- Flexibility and Choice:
- Beneficiaries can choose the FPS that offers the best quality of food grains and services.
- It reduces dependency on a single FPS dealer and the associated risk of corruption.
- Transparency and Accountability:
- Aadhaar-linked authentication ensures only genuine beneficiaries receive food entitlements.
- Real-time transaction records prevent diversion and leakage of food grains.
- Women’s Empowerment:
- The scheme empowers female-headed households by granting them equal access to food subsidies.
- Cost-Effectiveness:
- The government can track and monitor food grain distribution more efficiently, reducing wastage and saving resources.
Challenges and Concerns
Despite its numerous benefits, ONORC faces several challenges:
- Technological Barriers:
- Rural areas may face issues with poor internet connectivity, leading to authentication failures.
- ePOS devices may malfunction or face technical glitches, disrupting transactions.
- Awareness Issues:
- Many beneficiaries are unaware of the scheme and how to use it, especially in remote or rural areas.
- Aadhaar Authentication Issues:
- Some beneficiaries face problems with Aadhaar linkage, biometric errors, or mismatched data.
- Inclusion and Exclusion Errors:
- Errors in digitized data may lead to the wrongful exclusion of eligible beneficiaries or the inclusion of ineligible ones.
- Inter-State Coordination:
- States need to coordinate effectively to ensure smooth transactions for inter-state portability.
Steps Taken by the Government
To address the challenges and ensure the smooth implementation of ONORC, the government has taken the following steps:
- Awareness Campaigns:
- Public awareness programs and information campaigns have been launched to educate beneficiaries about the scheme.
- Technological Upgradation:
- The government is investing in improving ePOS devices and internet connectivity in rural areas.
- Grievance Redressal Mechanism:
- A helpline number and grievance redressal system have been introduced to resolve issues faced by beneficiaries.
- Monitoring Mechanisms:
- State and central authorities are working together to monitor the performance of FPS dealers and ensure compliance.
Eligibility and How to Use ONORC
Eligibility:
- All NFSA ration cardholders are eligible for ONORC.
- Ration cards must be digitized and linked with Aadhaar.
How to Use ONORC:
- Ensure Aadhaar Linkage:
- Verify that your ration card is linked with your Aadhaar number.
- Find an FPS:
- Visit any FPS equipped with ePOS devices.
- Authentication:
- Provide Aadhaar details or biometric verification to authenticate your identity.
- Collect Ration:
- Receive your entitled food grains after successful authentication.
Conclusion
The One Nation One Ration Card scheme is a landmark reform aimed at ensuring food security for all, particularly for migrant workers and vulnerable populations. By leveraging technology, digitization, and a unified national database, ONORC eliminates geographical barriers and promotes transparency in the distribution of subsidized food grains.
While challenges remain, continuous improvements in technology, infrastructure, and awareness campaigns will help overcome them. As India moves towards a more inclusive and accessible food distribution system, ONORC stands as a testament to the government’s commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind.
With ONORC, India takes another step closer to realizing the vision of “Food for All, Anywhere, Anytime.”
