[Breaking] 'One Nation, One Ration' Scheme Will Be Implemented : Finance Minister

'One nation, one ration' scheme will be implemented in the country through technology driven systems, said Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday.

National portability for ration cards will be brought in so that migrants can access PDS from any fair price shop in India, the Minister said. 67 crore beneficiaries in 23 states covering 83% of PDS population will be covered by national portability by August 2020. By March 2021, 100% national portability will be achieved.

The Minister made these statements as part of the announcements of welfare measures intended for migrant workers, street vendors, farmers, and middle-income groups amid the lockdown imposed due to COVID-19.

On April 20, the Supreme Court had directed the Centre to consider the viability of implementing 'one nation, one ration' scheme while disposing of a PIL.

Other key announcements :

Free food grain supply to migrants for 2 months.

Those who not under National Food Security Act or are State Card beneficiaries will be provided 5 Kg of grains per person and 1 Kg chana per family per month for 2 months. This means even those without ration cards will be getting PDS benefits.

On April 30, the SC had directed the Centre to consider a representation which sought for making ration accessible even for those without ration cards.

Costs for this are to be fully borne by Centre. Rs 3500 crores will be spent on this intervention for the next 2 months. About 8 crore migrant workers are the estimated beneficiaries.

The responsibility of implementing the scheme will be on the State Governments.

Affordable Rental Housing Complexes for Migrant Workers

 Affordable Rental Housing Complexes for Migrant Workers will be launched under the PM Awas Yojna. Govt funded housings in major cities lying vacant will be used.

Also, PPP mode will be used through concessionaire mode.

Interest subvention of 2% for MUDRA-Shishu loans

Interest subvention of 2% for MUDRA-Shishu loans for a period of 12 period. Maximum loan amount of MUDRA-Shishu loan is Rs 50,000/-.

The move expected to 3 crore beneficiaries.

Special Credit Facility of Rs 5000 crores for Street Vendors

Government will ensure easy access to credit to street vendors (50 lakh numbers estimated) within a month. Initial working capital up to Rs 10,000 will be provided.

Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme for middle classes

For middle income group between Rs 6 lakhs to 18 lakhs annual income, Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme extended up to March 2021. This will help housing needs of middle class.

Rs 70,000 crore investment by government. This will stimulate demand for steel, cement, transport and construction materials, and will create jobs.

For tribals/adivasis

For tribals and adivasis, plans worth Rs 6000 crores under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act will be approved. This will create job opportunities for tribals/adivasis.

For farmers

Rs 30,000 crore additional emergency working capital fund for farmers through NABARD. This expected to benefit around 3 crores small & marginal farmers. This will address post harvest (rabi) and current kharif requirements in May/June.

Rs 2 Lakh crore concessional credit boost to 2.5 crore farmers through Kisan Credit Cards announced by Finance Minister. Fishermen and animal husbandry farmers will also be included under KCC. This will enable them to access institutional credit at concessional rates.