One Nation One Ration Card, migrant labourers will get benefit

The Government of India has recently launched the ‘One Nation One Card’ scheme. Its purpose is to benefit those living below the poverty line as well as migrant labourers. National Food Security Act (NFSA) aims to provide basic rights and benefits to needy families and accordingly the work is on.

States are also helping NFSA to meet its target. States have started the process of allocating shops for this purpose. Instructions have been given to the Food and Civil Supplies Department and NIC for technical assistance. The government is also promoting digital payments with the highest priority. Aadhaar authentication is being done by a fingerprint to follow the efficient delivery of PDS items. It is also helping in cashless payment through UPI, AEPS etc. The price of goods won’t be affected due to digital transactions. Both goals are being accomplished through a point of sale (POS) device and thumbprint.

With the help of the seller and the authorities, this process of fair price automation as per the technical requirements keeps on improving and upgrading. The inclusion of debit card and credit card inbuilt feature with add-on prequalification restricts this purpose. But this increases the cost of the scheme.

For example, in Kerala PDS – Micro ATM, Bihar PDS – Micro ATM and Assam PDS – Card Swiping facility with inbuilt EMV certification. For this reason, the price of PDS tender in Assam is Rs 47 per quintal/month. Whereas the Government of India rules allows Rs 17 per quintal/month. In Bihar also, this price is 300 per cent more than the Government of India limit.

Therefore, this is the right time when high officials choose the right technical process so that public funds are not wasted. This is the time when we should support the One Nation One Card Scheme.