One Nation One Card-Recent Developments

Context in Current Affairs: Around nine states have completed One Nation One Card Reform schemes. They are Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Kerala, Haryana, Gujarat, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Tripura.

What are the recent developments?

The Central Government has allowed these nine states to increase their additional 23,523 crores of rupees under One Nation One Card Scheme. Uttar Pradesh is the biggest beneficiary of the scheme as the state was provided with an additional borrowing window of Rs 4,851 crores. It was followed by Karnataka with additional borrowing window of Rs 4,509 crores and Gujarat receiving Rs 4,352 crores. These allocations are made based on the suggestion of Department of Food and Public Distribution. It is the nodal department that certifies if a state has met the conditions stipulated under the One Nation One Card Scheme. The Department of Food and Public Distribution operates under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. In order to become eligible to the reforms, the state has to complete implementing the reforms by December 31, 2020.

In addition to the One Nation One Card Scheme, the reforms specified includes ease of doing business, power sector reforms and urban local body reforms.

One Nation One Card

The scheme was launched to make sure all the beneficiaries, especially the migrants can access the Public Distribution System from anywhere in the country. This will enhance the freedom of the beneficiaries as they are not tied to one PDS shop. The scheme is being implemented under the National Food Security Act.

It aims to eliminate bogus ration cards, ineligible ration cards and duplicate ration cards

Concerns of One Nation One Card

First major concern is that every state has its own rules in implementing the Public Distribution System and it can be difficult in proper implementation of one card in all states. Another concern expressed is that One Nation One Card scheme will further boost corruption in the already corrupted PDS system.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2020