Punjab Completes ONORC Scheme

In News: Recently, Punjab has become the thirteenth state to successfully undertake One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme.

• Although 32 states and UTs (as on 3rd Feb 2021) are in process of implementing the scheme, there were only 12 states (excluding Punjab) who had fulfilled all the reform related requirements stated by Nodal agency for ONORC.
  • The Department of Food and Public Distribution of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution is the Nodal Department to certify that a State has met the conditions stipulated for this reform.
• The Department of Expenditure under the Ministry of Finance allows some extra borrowing margin to States fully compliant with ONORC reforms.

About the Scheme

• It was rolled out by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in 2019 in 4 states on a pilot basis.
• Aim: To ensure hassle-free delivery of subsidized food grains to all migratory beneficiaries anywhere in the country through nation-wide portability under National Food Security Act (NFSA).
• This scheme will be instrumental in the welfare of migrant workers.
• A card bearing 10 digit number will be issued to the complaint state’s BPL card holders which will be linked to AADHAR database.
• Currently, the migrants can avail their Public Distribution System (PDS) entitlement only from designated Fair Price Shop (FPS).

Need or Benefits

• Huge Internal Migration: According to the 2011 census, there are 45 crore internal migrants who accounted for 37% of the population.
• Prevent Duplication and Double Benefits: It will help in reducing the number of dual ration cardholders.
  • It will be in sync with the motto of Minimum Government Maximum Governance.
• Help in understanding migration pattern: The centralised FRP shop data may be used to formulate policies on intra- and inter-state migration.
• Better efficiency of Food Distribution Schemes: As per the reply to an RTI, over 40,000 tonnes of food grains, including wheat and rice, have rotted in the last six years. With ONORC those left out due to migration can take that food.
• Less Corruption and Exploitation: Different news articles have reported rampant corruption and exploitation for getting BPL cards by migrants in other states. It will reduce.
• Empowering BPL Card Holders: ONORC will give the deprived people the choice to choose from corrupt and well functioning FRP shops.
• Reduce Social Discrimination: It will reduce the role of social identities like caste, class and gender and power relations in availing the PDS facility by women and other disadvantaged class.
• Help towards fulfilling SDG 2 target of ending hunger by 2030: In the 2020 Global Hunger Index, India ranks 94th out of the 107 countries.
• Nutritional Security: With cheap food grain available to migrants, there are chances of more expenditure towards fruits and vegetables.

                                                      (Image Source: GHI)            

Criticism/Challenges

• Exclusion Errors: As the ONORC is AADHAR linked there are chances of exclusion of people living in remote areas especially scheduled tribes.
  • As per the ‘2019 state of AADHAR survey’, 95 per cent of the adults in the country have AADHAR.
  • It means the rest 5% may suffer from hunger due to non availability of AADHAR.
• Operational Challenges:
  • Internet penetration is still less in India for the smooth functioning of ONORC.
  • Changes in Fingerprints have also been reported both due to genetics and due to constant wear and work-related wear and tear especially in case of labourers.
• Logistics Issue: There is a quota allocated to every state for the purchase of food grains from FCI. Constant migration may disturb that procurement pattern.
  • At places of emigration, food grain may get wasted.
  • While the places where immigration is dominant may face a PDS food crunch.
• Split Families:  Many migrants leave their spouses and parents back home. Hence there will be a requirement to issue cards in parts.
  • Also there is a lack of comprehensive data on migrants and their families.
• Domicile based Social Sector Schemes: There may be tensions over competition for state run social sector schemes due to Common Ration Card which is at present basis for availing such schemes.

Way Ahead

• To meet Logistic Challenges and optimise the States Procurement:
  • Creation of dedicated ONORC e-platform based on Artificial Intelligence: It may be used to predict and issue the cards to migrants.
  • Use of railways data: As shown in Economic Survey, the preliminary data regarding migration may be taken up from IRCTC.
  • Unorganised Sector Social Security Act 2008: It has provisions regarding documentation of unorganised informal sector workers at welfare boards.
• To Handle Operational Challenges:
  • Impetus to BharatNet
  • Deeper Internet Penetration should be promoted
• To eliminate Exclusion Errors:
  • Constant monitoring and empowerment of Village Panchayats at least in the initial phase.
  • Social Auditing may weed out any inclusion error and help in reducing exclusion error by recommending the names.

Conclusion

• The ONORC just the first step of ensuring mass welfare. Its successful implementation may pave the way for interstate portability of Integrated Child Development Services, Mid-Day Meals, immunisation, health care and other facilities for poor migrant households.
• In the long run, PDS may be replaced by a food coupon system or direct benefit transfer for better compliance with World Trade Organisation Rules.

Source: NewsOnAir