There is a tussle between the Center and the Delhi government regarding the ration distribution scheme in Delhi. At the same time, in the meantime, the Delhi government has decided to implement the Central Government’s ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ scheme in Delhi.
This decision will benefit those migrants who have ration cards of other states and who have been identified in their native state under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Delhi Government has decided to implement ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ scheme to distribute free ration to PDS cardholders for July, 2021 under NFSA, 2013 and PMGKAY.
According to the information received by the Delhi government, all the beneficiaries will get free ration in a phased manner through e-PoS machine on biometric authentication at ration shops (FPS) across Delhi. For this, instructions have been given to all the ration shops to compulsorily put up a board outside the shop in which all necessary information including detailed information about the eligibility of the beneficiaries has been written.
Apart from this, all Zonal Assistant Commissioners, Circle Food Safety Officers and Food Security Inspectors have been directed to ensure distribution of ration at all ration shops through e-PoS following the guidelines of One Nation One Card Policy.
In Delhi, under the Public Distribution System (PDS) under the National Food Security Act 2013, NFS beneficiaries in the PR and PRS category are given 5 kg of food grains every month, which includes 4 kg of wheat and 1 kg of rice. The regular eligibility under AAY category is 25 kg wheat, 10 kg rice and 1 kg sugar per family.
Under the scheme, wheat at the rate of Rs 2 per kg, rice Rs 3 per kg and sugar Rs 13.50 per kg is given to the beneficiaries under the scheme on normal days. But the Delhi government has decided to give free ration to NFS and AAY beneficiaries in view of the current economic condition of the people due to Corona. Apart from this, every PDS beneficiary (PR, PRS and AAY) is entitled to 4 kg wheat and 1 kg rice per month in July 2021 under PMGKAY.
A statement issued by Delhi’s Food and Supplies Minister Imran Hussain said that during the lockdown, the Food and Supplies Department has made every effort to meet the food requirements of the poor and vulnerable sections of the city including NFS beneficiaries. The Delhi government had earlier provided free ration to NFS beneficiaries for May-June 2021 as well. The government has decided to continue the distribution of free ration till November 2021. Now we have decided to implement ‘One Nation One Card Policy’, which will provide free ration to the migrants living in Delhi.
All the FPS licensees have also been directed to take necessary precautions while distributing ration to ensure their safety and that of the beneficiaries. All FPS beneficiaries will be given sufficient information about the availability of ration so that the ration takers do not face any kind of difficulty. Beneficiaries can contact the Assistant Commissioner of Food Department, Food Supply Officer and Food Supply Inspector for any complaint related to ration. He can also contact the helpline number 1967 and other grievance redressal portals of Delhi Government including PGMS.