Amid controversy over the door to door ration delivery scheme, the Centre has asked the Arvind Kejriwal Government for resumption of electronic Point of Sales (ePoS) devices in all ration shops to ensure one nation one ration card scheme for nationwide portability of ration cards under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). “There are estimated to be 10 lakh migrants in Delhi. Through this system, the migrant NFSA beneficiaries are empowered to lift their entitled quota of subsidised foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop of their choice, anywhere in the country, by using their existing ration card which means there will be no additional burden to the Delhi Government,” it said.

In a letter to the Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Dev, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs secretary Sudhanshu Pandey stated that the Centre on February 18, 2021, had made a request to consider expeditious resumption of electronic Point of Sales (ePoS) devices in all Fair Price Shops (FPS) of Delhi for transparency in the distribution of foodgrains, and to ensure the implementation of One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) at the earliest. However, progress in this regard is yet to be made, it added.

Pandey explained that since ONORC is a technology-driven process to enable intra-state and inter-state portability of ration cardholders, it is highly dependent on the availability of ePoS devices at all FPSs.

"The implementation of this noble initiative for migrants has been impeded due to non-functioning of ePoS devices at FPSs. This will help them to avail their entitled foodgrains on subsidised rate and also improve their ease of living," Pandey added.

“All ration card holders of Delhi who change their residences frequently will be able to draw ration from any ration shop which is close by without changing residential address or the ration card. Experience in other states has shown that ONORC implementation has led to empowerment of beneficiaries as they have choice to change their ration dealer without the interference of bureaucracy or red tape at ground level. Due to right of choice shifting to beneficiaries, implementation of ONORC has led to improved behavior and conduct by ration shop dealers and improvement in their services,” the letter read.

The ministry said that ‘Mera Ration’ app available in over 10 regional languages would help Delhi residents to draw their ration with ease.

“Lastly, any Delhi residents moving out of Delhi to any neighbouringor any other state of lndia would be able to draw his/her ration without having to apply for local ration card,” the ministry added.