Editorial: Ration portability need of the hour

The urgency of reforms in this crucial area of public policy was felt during the migrant crisis that hit the country in the immediate aftermath of the hasty nationwide lockdown last year

Reforming the country’s Public Distribution System (PDS) has been a long-felt need. Though the PDS has been a critical component of the food security policy, changing social dynamics and increased mobility of people in search of livelihood opportunities warrant a complete overhaul of the system to ensure that essential commodities reach the needy. The urgency of reforms in this crucial area of public policy was felt during the migrant crisis that hit the country in the immediate aftermath of the hasty nationwide lockdown announced by the Centre last year to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The plight of the stranded migrant workers was accentuated by the fact that they could not access subsidised foodgrains from Fair Price Shops (FPS) as several States had no provision to cover migrant workers under the PDS. It is in such situations that the ‘One Nation, One Ration Card System’ could come in handy. Under this initiative, a beneficiary will be able to buy subsidised foodgrains from any FPS across the country, like the mobile portability system. Earlier, the beneficiaries were not able to access their PDS benefits outside the jurisdiction of the specific FPS to which they have been assigned. Some States, including Telangana, were already implementing the ration card portability system when the first nationwide lockdown was announced and hence could take care of migrant workers better. In fact, Telangana was already in a leading position in the country in terms of implementing the ‘One Nation,One Ration Card’ drive. It went a step further by providing cash assistance and healthcare facilities on a par with the locals.

The Supreme Court’s direction to the States and Union Territories to implement the ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ scheme till July 31 and run community kitchens to feed migrants till the end of the pandemic is a welcome move. The predicament of migrant workers represents one of the most serious humanitarian crises independent India has ever faced. The pandemic-induced lockdowns have left many of them stranded without any income and food. It is imperative for the Centre and the States to ensure food security, cash transfers and other welfare measures for migrants have been bearing the brunt of the pandemic. ‘One Nation, one Ration Card’ is a technology-driven system that allows labourers, daily wagers, and urban poor to get their daily quota of foodgrains from any electronic point of sale (e-PoS)-enabled FPS of their choice anywhere in the country. The States implementing this system have been allowed an additional borrowing of 0.25% of the gross State domestic product. In 2020-21, at least 17 States, which implemented the ration card reform, were allowed to borrow an additional Rs 37,600 crore.

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