Mera Ration Mobile App Launched

• 13 Mar 2021

Why in News

In order to facilitate the 'One Nation One Ration Card’ system in the country, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has launched the 'Mera Ration' mobile app to benefit citizens in identifying the nearest Fair Price Shop (FPS).

• This app will benefit especially those ration card holders who move to new areas for livelihoods.

Key Points

• About the App: The app is developed by the National Informatics Center (NIC).
  
  • Language: The application is currently available in English and Hindi.
    
    • However, it is planned to be introduced in 14 languages which will be identified on the basis of places where most migrant people move.
  • Facilities to the Beneficiaries:
    
    • Can identify and locate the nearest fair price shop.
    • Can easily check details of their foodgrain entitlement, recent transactions and the status of Aadhaar seeding.
    • Can register their migration details.
    • An option to enter suggestions/feedback.
• One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC):
  
  • Implementation:
    
    • The ONORC scheme is being implemented by the Department of Food and Public Distribution for the nation-wide portability of ration cards under National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013.
      
      • The Act legally entitled upto 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidized food grains under Targeted Public Distribution System.
  • Significance:
    
    • This system allows all NFSA beneficiaries, particularly migrant beneficiaries, to claim either full or part foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) in the country through an existing ration card with biometric/Aadhaar authentication in a seamless manner.
      
      • The freedom of choosing any FPS was not available earlier.
    • States completing the One Nation-One Ration Card system reform were eligible for additional borrowing of 0.25% of gross state domestic product (GSDP).
      • Seventeen states have operationalised 'One Nation-One Ration Card' system with Uttarakhand being the latest to complete the reform.
  • Coverage:
    
    • The ONORC was started initially in 4 States in the year 2019 and was rolled out in 32 States/UTs by the end of 2020.
      
      • The integration of the remaining 4 States/UT (Assam, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and West Bengal) is expected to be completed in next few months.
    • It covers nearly 69 Crore NFSA beneficiaries (about 86% NFSA population) in the country and a monthly average of about 1.5~1.6 Crore portability transactions are being recorded under ONORC.
  • Making ONORC Available to All:
    
    • The government supplies 5 kg of subsidised food grains to each person per month through 5.4 lakh ration shops.
    • The integration of Migrants’ Portal with ONROC system is undertaken with the support of the Ministry of Labour & Employment.
    • The ONORC has been made a part of PM SVANidhi program of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.
    • Media publicity of the ONORC has been done with the help of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Press Information Bureau, MyGov, Bureau of Outreach & Communication.

Source: PIB