While announcing the Union Budget 2021-22, the Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman said the ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ scheme of the government is being implemented in 32 states and Union Territories across the country.

“We have launched the One Nation, One Ration card scheme through which the beneficiaries can claim their rations anywhere in the country,” said Sitharaman.

The implementation of One Nation One Ration Card plan is one of the top priorities of the Department of Food & Public Distribution, to provide an option to all eligible ration card holders/beneficiaries covered under National Food Security Act (NFSA) to access their entitlements from anywhere in the country.

The minister also said the migrant workers in particular will benefit from this scheme. “Those staying away from their families can particularly claim their rations where they are stationed. While their family can partially claim their rations where they are stationed, and their family in their native places can claim the rest,” said Sitharaman.

The scheme is reaching about 69 crore beneficiaries, she informed. The Finance Minister said that the scheme has covered 86 per cent of the beneficiaries in 32 states and Union Territories, and the remaining four states and UTs will be integrated into the scheme in the coming few months.

Meanwhile, the minister has also proposed setting up a portal to collect information on gig-workers, building and construction workers, among others to provide them benefits like health, credit (easy financing), food and others.

“This will help formulate health, housing, skill, insurance credit, and food schemes, for all migrant workers,” Sitharaman said in her budget speech.