What Is 'One Nation One Ration Card'? Govt's Initiative To Give Easier Ration Access To Migrants By 2021

Sitharaman further stated that 67 crore beneficiaries in 23 states covering 83 percent of PDS population will be covered by national portability by August 2020, and will be made 100 percent by March 2021.

Centre said that it is set to provide them with 5 kg grains per person and 1 kg chana per family for 2 months. (Image: AFP)

New Delhi: With the aim to enable lakhs of migrants to access ration, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced National Portability Cards (NPS) also known as 'One Nation One Ration Card' Scheme, which will leverage technology and help labourers access ration under the Public Distribution System (PDS) from any fair price shop across the country. Briefing the media over the various measures taken for poor migrants, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, co-joined by the MoS Anurag Thakur and other finance ministry officials, said that "Anyone, irrespective of where they are - whichever state or UT they are in - can avail ration."

'One Nation One Ration Card' by March 2021#AatmaNirbharBharatPackage pic.twitter.com/3QiezlPBgr

— PIB India #StayHome #StaySafe (@PIB_India) May 14, 2020

“This scheme will enable migrant beneficiaries to access Public Distribution System from any fair price shop. Through this, people will have their rightful ration in whichever corner of the country they may be,” said the finance minister. Sitharaman further stated that 67 crore beneficiaries in 23 states covering 83 per cent of PDS population will be covered by national portability by August 2020, and will be made 100 per cent by March 2021. Announcing other measures for the stressed migrants, the Centre said that it is set to provide them with 5 kg grains per person and 1 kg chana per family for 2 months. As per the official data, about 8 crore migrants are expected to benefit from this decision. Rs 3,500  crores will be spent on this intervention for 2 months.

▪️ Free Food grain supply to #Migrants for 2 months ▪️ About 8 crores migrants to benefit from this ▪️ Rs. 3500 Crore will be spent on this intervention for 2 months: @nsitharaman

at the #AatmaNirbharBharatPackage media briefing pic.twitter.com/2Kn8I7DXbS — PIB India #StayHome #StaySafe (@PIB_India) May 14, 2020

These announcements come as part of the second round of unveiling details of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan' worth Rs 20 lakh crores. While interacting with the media, Finance Ministry announced nine new measures aiming to help small farmers, traders, street vendors and migrant workers who received the beating amid the COVID-19 induced lockdown. The nine initiatives announced includes 3 for to Migrant workers, 1 for street vendors, 1 for small traders, 1 related to housing, 1 on self-employed people and 2 related to small farmers.