One Nation, One Ration Card: Nirmala Sitharaman announces new scheme to help migrants

New Delhi : Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday evening announced a new scheme – one nation, one ration card – to aid the migrant labours.

With this the beneficiaries will be able to buy the ration at a subsidized rate from the government’s public distribution system (PDS) anywhere in the country.

“This scheme will enable a migrant beneficiary to access public distribution system from any fair price shop in the country (intra-state portability introduced in 20 states),” Sitharaman said.

As per current ration card system, the beneficiaries were unable to buy food while they were away from their home state.

The finance minister said that the scheme is “part of the PM’s technology-driven system reforms.”

The new scheme comes a day after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced details about the Rs 20 lakh crore package to revive economy that has been impacted by the coronavirus and following lockdowns.