ONORC (One Nation One Ration Card)

The One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme is a government initiative that aims to ensure food security. The scheme allows eligible beneficiaries to access subsidized food rations from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) across the country using a single ration card. The ONORC scheme is being implemented by the Central Government under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The scheme uses a process called Aadhaar Seeding to nationalize a beneficiary's ration card. Aadhaar seeding ensures that the beneficiary can pick up their entitled foodgrain from any fair price shop in the country. The scheme was rolled out to ensure 100 percent national portability of food grains by March 2021

Key Features

Salient Features of One Nation One Ration Card Scheme 

1. The implementation of the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme involves several key steps and components to make it possible. Here’s how the scheme will be implemented
2. Technology Integration: The first step is to integrate the technological infrastructure required for the scheme. This involves setting up electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices at Fair Price Shops (FPSs) across the country. These devices are equipped with biometric authentication systems (fingerprint or iris scans) to verify the identity of beneficiaries.
3. Aadhaar Seeding: Beneficiaries’ Aadhaar numbers are linked to their ration cards. This linking is crucial for biometric authentication and to prevent duplication of beneficiaries
4. Database and Connectivity: The central government, along with state governments and relevant agencies, establishes a central database that contains beneficiary information, ration card details, and other relevant data. This database enables the exchange of information across states and union territories.
5. Inter-State and Intra-State Portability: The core concept of ONORC is to allow beneficiaries to access their ration entitlements from any FPS, whether they are in their home state or a different state. This involves creating a seamless system for portability, both within a state (intra-state) and between states (inter-state).
6. Beneficiary Awareness: Public awareness campaigns are conducted to educate beneficiaries about the scheme’s benefits, how to use it, and the steps they need to take to access their entitlements from any FPS.
7. Mobile Application (Mera Ration): The government introduces a mobile app called “Mera Ration” to assist beneficiaries. This app provides information about entitlements, FPS locations, and other relevant details. It simplifies the process for beneficiaries to access their ration from any location.

Benefits of the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) Scheme

1. Easy access to subsidized food grains for migrants: People who have ONORC can get cheaper food from any Fair Price Shop, even if they are in a different part of the country. This helps those who move to other places for work.
2. Consistent rations across states: When someone uses ONORC in a different state, they will get the same amount of food that they would get in their home state. So, the quality and quantity of food remain the same.
3. Quick switch in case of issues: If there’s any problem with one Fair Price Shop, beneficiaries can easily go to another shop and still get their food. This prevents them from being stuck without food.
4. Benefits for women and vulnerable groups: People from poorer sections of society, including women, can benefit more because they can easily access their entitled food without any discrimination.
5. Contribution to ending hunger: The ONORC can play a role in reaching the goal of ending hunger by 2030. This is important as hunger is a big challenge, and the ONORC can help reduce it.

Beneficiary:

As Mentioned Above

Benefits:

As Mentioned Above