The government has established a network of fair price shops to help holders of national food security cards to buy necessary commodities at subsidized prices.
Purpose of the National Food Security Card
The National food security card, otherwise known as the Food security ration card, is a Legal document that allows the cardholders to get commodities like rice, sugar, fertilizers, kerosene, and LPG at subsidized prices.
A cardholder can buy essentials from any ration shop that is a beneficiary under the ‘one nation one ration’ scheme. Moreover, the food security card is a multipurpose record that can be used as identity proof for the cardholder and his/her entire family.
One Nation One Ration
From 1 June 2020 onwards, the ‘one nation one ration card’ scheme has allowed the portability of food security benefits. The one nation, one ration card (ONORC) scheme intends to enable all National Food Security Card Act migrant beneficiaries to obtain food grains from any fair price shop (FPS) of their choice anywhere in the country by utilizing their existing ration card with biometric authentication.
This means that poor migrant workers will now be able to buy subsidized rice and wheat from any ration shop in the country. To safeguard your eligibility, ensure your ration card is linked to your Aadhaar. As of March 2021, 32 states and union territories, that is, except Assam, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, and West Bengal, have adopted the ONORC, and it is to be implemented across the country without exception by 31 July 2021.
National Food Security Card Eligibility
To avail of the benefits of the scheme, you have to meet the following eligibility conditions:
- The applicant must not be an existing holder of License FSC
- Must belong to the economically disadvantaged section of society
- Must be married
- Holder of a temporary ration card or an expired ration card.
Documents Required for National Food Security Card
- Application form
- Aadhaar proof (government identification)
- Residential address proof (rental agreement, electricity bill, etc.)
Obtaining the One Nation One Ration Card
The Hon’ble Supreme Court has instructed all Indian states and union territories to implement the one nation one ration scheme on or before 31st July 2021. The Apex court has also directed that states should organize community kitchens to feed migrant workers until the pandemic is over.
People who hold the white ration card are eligible to receive the ration portability facility, which allows them to buy subsidized food grains from any fair price shop in the country.
The One Nation One Ration Card can be obtained by following the procedure outlined in every state government’s website dedicated to providing civil supplies. If you need help in obtaining a national food security card, get in touch with the experts at Vakilsearch.
Conclusion
National Food Security Card has been a crucial initiative to ensure that food is accessible to every citizen in India. It has played a significant role in reducing hunger and malnutrition, particularly among the vulnerable sections of society.
However, there is still much to be done in terms of expanding the reach of the program and addressing issues of corruption and inefficiency. The government must continue to work towards strengthening the program and ensuring that it reaches the intended beneficiaries.
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