With reference to the 'One Nation One Ration Card' scheme, consider the following statements:
- 1. Its objective is to introduce nationwide portability for ration card holders under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA).
- 2. It has been made available across the country from 1 July 2020.
- 3. It has been launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- AOnly 1 and 2
- B1, 2 and 3
- COnly 1
- DOnly 1 and 3
Show answer and explanation
Correct answers: (a) Only 1 and 2 or (c) Only 1
Explanation
One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) lets beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act, 2013 draw their subsidised grain from any fair price shop in the country, with their existing ration card and biometric (Aadhaar) authentication. It helps migrant workers most.
- Statement 1 is correct: nationwide portability under the NFSA is its objective.
- Statement 2 is doubtful: the scheme began in August 2019 in a few states and was extended state by state. The government had aimed to cover the whole country by June 2020, but coverage became complete only in June 2022, when Assam joined as the 36th state or union territory.
- Statement 3 is wrong: it is run by the Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
The key gives (a), treating statement 2 as correct. ONORC reached every state and union territory only in June 2022, so (c) is also accepted.