One Nation One Ration Card scheme for TS, AP launched

Hyderabad: Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. Ram Vilas Paswan on Friday launched the ‘One nation – one ration’ card scheme in two cluster States of Telangana-Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra-Gujarat at a ration shop in New MLA Quarters in Hyderabad through online from Delhi on pilot project basis.

People from Andhra Pradesh can buy subsidised foodgrains from anywhere in Telangana State and vice-versa, and similarly both Maharashtra and Gujarat people can get benefit from this scheme.

The Union government is introducing ‘One Nation-One Ration Card’ to benefit poor people who avail ration from anywhere in the country. As per National Food Security Act (NFSA) every beneficiary will get 5 kg rice at Rs 3 per kg and wheat at Rs 2 per kg.

Akun Sabharwal, Commissioner for Civil Supplies, speaking on the occasion said with the implementation of ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ people of two Telugu States can take their ration from anywhere in Telangana State and Andhra Pradesh.

With the support of National Informatics Centre (NIC) details of the beneficiaries which are linked to EPoS, now Andhra people can avail ration without again linking of biometric or Intelligent Retinal Imaging System (IRIS).

One of the beneficiaries Eashwar Rao, hailing from Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh, and now working as a watchman for 15 years in an apartment at Punjagutta availed PDS rice through National Portability in the presence of Sabharwal.

He said every two or three months he used to go to his native village to get ration. Each time he had to get permission for leave and spend about Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 for travelling and now with the implementation of National Portability, he can save travelling expenses and time.

Sabarwal had explained to the Union Minister that portability in Telangana is implemented from April 1 last year and in Telangana State 2.82 crore beneficiaries were benefitted with ration portability as they can get their ration from any ration shop. Till now more than 2.10 crores portability transactions were recorded, he said.