One Nation, One Ration: Implementation|UPSC Notes

One Nation, One Ration Card is a government initiative aimed at ensuring food security for all citizens, especially migrant workers. It allows beneficiaries to access their food rations from any Public Distribution System (PDS) shop across India, regardless of location. The significant welfare reforms by the government are the One Nation, One Ration Card policy which would help migrant workers and all the poor families reach food security. In this system, beneficiaries can access ration entitlement from any PDS shop anywhere in India.

• The scheme also assists migrant workers and their family members through flexible access to rations.
• It allows portability so that an antyodaya cardholder can collect his or her ration even at any place in India.
• Recipient do not have to return to their states to collect food grains entitled to them.

How One Nation, One Ration Card Works

Under the One Nation, One Ration Card scheme, every family is being given one single unique ration card integrated with Aadhaar. This card shall be accepted throughout the country, so that beneficiaries can take their share of food grains from any PDS shop, anywhere in the country. The system is technology-driven and uses biometric authentication to eliminate all chances of tampering.

Key Features of the Scheme

• Aadhaar-based Identification: Beneficiaries must get their ration cards linked with Aadhaar for biometric identification. This way, the right person receives the rations.
• Portability of Ration Cards: A citizen can exercise his right to avail ration anywhere in India even if one is residing in another state.
• Tracking and Transparency: The system tracks ration transactions so that there is transparency without any duplication or fraud.

One Nation, One Ration Card and Migrant Workers

The primary idea of the One Nation, One Ration Card scheme was to support migrant workers. There is a vast migrant population that moves from one state to another in search of better employment opportunities in the country. When they changed places, their access to subsidized food would be restricted. This scheme makes it possible for migrant workers to consume food grains while taking advantage of the NFSA, without any discrimination.

• No need to change ration card: The migrant can avail the same ration card across all places
• Access to benefits anywhere: The foodgrains need not be brought from the state of residence while making claims
• Financial Security: The migrant can earn without disturbing his/her family members at home about their food needs.

The Technology Behind One Nation, One Ration Card

Technology has a huge stake in the One Nation, One Ration Card scheme. Aadhaar-linked biometric authentication ensures the rightful reception of due food grains to the beneficiaries as it verifies who they are. The chances of any kind of fraud are ruled out make the whole distribution process much more efficient. Electronic point-of-sale (ePOS) machines are given to the PDS shops that would verify the identity of the beneficiary through Aadhaar-based biometric data. After successful authentication, the transaction would be recorded, and food grains would be dispensed.

Working Steps

• Biometric Authentication: The beneficiary goes to the PDS shop and uses his Aadhaar number for authentication. It authenticates the biometric details of the beneficiary.
• Verification: The system checks whether the beneficiary is eligible for the issued food grain and records the transaction after the authentication process.
• Disbursal: The PDS shop dispenses the food grains to the beneficiary.

Implementation Obstacles of One Nation, One Ration Card

While the One Nation, One Ration Card scheme has had a success story of its own so far, problems abound. Many states have operational technical glitches and problems with digital infrastructure. Another is that most people may not have Aadhaar or have problems in biometric verifications, particularly in rural belts. These have to be addressed to get it out to more people

Some of the Major Challenges

• Technological Obstacles: Such infrastructure may not be available in rural areas.
• Biometric Failures: Exhausted fingerprints of labourers may pose a problem and biometric authentication becomes tough.
• Lack of awareness: Many people, especially in remote areas are unaware of the benefits of the One Nation, One Ration Card scheme.

One Nation, One Ration Card: State-Wise Implementation

Much dependency on the One Nation, One Ration Card scheme has been placed on the cooperation between the states. Each state needs to integrate its PDS system with the central database by allowing ration cards to be ported from one place to another. Many states have already achieved it; however, the rest are still at the inception stage. So far, most states have undertaken this scheme, but constant upgrading and monitoring is required for it to function smoothly.

Advantages of Inter-State Collaboration

• Beneficial access for States: All States collaborate for equal treatment without regard to where the beneficiary resides.
• Grievance Reducing: It limits the likelihood of counterfeit ration cards or cases of fraudulent claims.
• Data Sharing: States can share data easily and monitor the movement of beneficiaries across borders.

Economic Impact of One Nation, One Ration Card

An economic impact is therefore made by this One Nation, One Ration Card scheme. A direct reduction of wastage and leakages in the system can be achieved as the food grains reach the targeted beneficiary directly. Migrant workers also save time and resources as they need not return to their home states to receive their food entitlements. This leads to an increase in productivity and stability within the economy, particularly for the poorer classes.

Long-run Economic Implications

• Reduced Leakages: Improved tracking and monitoring reduce leakages during distribution.
• Empowered Migrant Workers: For migrant laborers, with easy access to food grains, more stress is on the jobs rather than being in the line for ration.
• Better Resource Allocation: Resources can be allocated better by the government by monitoring real-time data.

Conclusion

One Nation, One Ration Card, a much-needed historic reform, aims for the food security of all citizens-especially migrant laborers a reality. Portability and removing state-wise restrictions will allow people to access entitlements without confining themselves to geographies. At least for the medium run, the economic stability it is likely to create and reduce wastage cannot be denied. It’s indispensable for the government to improve the system so that every eligible citizen benefits from this radical policy change.

One Nation, One Ration UPSC Notes

1. The scheme enables portability of ration cards across India, allowing beneficiaries to access food grains from any part of the country. 2. It primarily benefits migrant workers, ensuring access to subsidized food grains regardless of their location. 3. The initiative aims to improve food security and reduce leakage in the Public Distribution System (PDS). 4. The scheme is powered by Aadhaar seeding and biometric authentication to ensure transparency and accountability. 5. It promotes the centralization and integration of state-level PDS databases, enhancing efficiency. 6. The scheme helps reduce regional disparities in accessing food grains by ensuring uniformity in distribution. 7. Implementation challenges include issues of technology infrastructure and coordination between states. 8. “One Nation, One Ration” aligns with the goal of creating a more inclusive and equitable food distribution system in India.

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