Lok Sabha Question No. 4495 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-23
Subject: Implementation of ONORC Scheme in Assam
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Kripanath Mallah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MTNISTRY OF GONSUMER AFFAIRS,  FOOD & PUBLIG DISTRIBUT|ON DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTTON

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4495

TO BE ANSWERED  ON 23'd MARCH,2O2{

## IMFILEMENTATION OF ONORC SCHEME IN ASSAM

## 4495. SHRI KRIIPANATH MALLAH:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS,  FOOD AND  pUBLtC DISTRIBUTIoN  5csiTar fifre, ET{c sit{ TrfuA-fi Ffflur t'*  be pteased to state:

- (a)  the salient features of the One l{ation One Ration card (ONORG) Scheme;
- (b)  the details of the funds sanctioned,  allocated and utilized under this scheme within Assam so far;
- (c)  the details of the target set and achievements made so far within Assam so far along with its resultsl
- (d)  whether this scheme has proved a boon during Covid-i9 within the country;
- (e) if son the details thereof; and
- (0 the steps being taken by the Government  to cover the wider section of target beneficiaries in the State?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINTSTRY OF CONSUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD & PUBLIG DISTRIBUTIOI{

(sHRt DANVE RAOSAHEB DADARAO)

(a): The  'One  Nation One Ration Gard (ONORG) plan' under Public Distribution System (PDS) reforms allows all National Food Security Act (NFSA) beneficiaries, patticularly migrant I{FSA beneficiaries,  to claim either full or part foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) in the country through existing ration card and biometric authentication in a seamless manner. The facility also allows their family members back home, if any, to also claim the balance foodgrains on same ration card. Thus, empowering all NFSA beneficiaries  with seamless food.security, anlrwhere in the Gountry. Through this technology driven system, the ration card details and entitlements  are available online on any electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) device in the country.

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- (b): So far, a total of Rs. 88 Lakh are released to the State Government of Assam for the implementation of the One ation One Ration Gard plan in the State.
- (c): The main enablers of technology  driven ONORC plan are the digitization  of  ration cards, Aadhaar seeding of  beneficiaries, installation of ePoS devices at the FPSS and opertionalisation of biometrically  authenticated FPS transactions.  So far, in Assam all NFSA ration cards data is digitized.  Aadhaar generation  and seeding with ration cards is very low in the State, and the State Government has not yet started the installation of ePoS devices at the FPSs. Thus, rollout of ONORC in the State depends upon the technical readiness  of the State to implement  the same.
- (d) & (e): During the COVID-19 pandemic, migrant NFSA beneficiaries in most States/UTs  availed foodgrains with flexibility  from any location wherever they were during the lockdown and period of crisis. During the period, April 2O2O to February 2O21, a total of about {5.4 Grore portability transactions have been carried out across the States/UTs under ONORC plan. The freedom of choosing any FPS under ONORC is a tremendous value.added service to each NFSA beneficiary.
- (0: The facility of One Nation One Ration Gard (ONORG) as a flexible mechanism  for delivery of subsidized foodgrains  to  beneficiaries anywhere  in the country is equally beneficial to all beneficiaries covered under NFSA in the country (including Assam). Since the Act provides coverage for all elagible poor  & needy persons, vulnerable sections of the society including destitute, disabled penions,  etc. by the respective State/UT Government up to their ceiling limit of NFSA coverage,  the ONORG benefit is also available to all such beneficiaries possessing NFSA ration cards.