 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Nov 2: Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary of the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), Government of India, led an awareness drive workshop in Jammu & Kashmir to emphasize the importance of the One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC) initiative.
The awareness drive workshop, held at Udyog Bhawan, Rail Head Complex, Jammu, on November 2, 2023, aimed to educate beneficiaries about the benefits of ONORC, a transformative scheme designed to ensure seamless access to ration entitlements across the nation.
Dignitaries who attended the workshop included Zubair Ahmed (Secretary, Dept of FCS(CA, J&K), Ramesh Kumar (Divisional Commissioner, J&K), Abdul Rashid War (Labour Commissioner, J&K), Rifat Kohli (Director, Dept of FCS&CA, Jammu), and other senior officials. About 120 beneficiaries and Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers were present at the workshop, which was broadcast live on DFPD's official YouTube page.
During his address, Secretary, DFPD, emphasized the motto, "Aap jahan, aapka ration waha," highlighting the core principle of ONORC. This initiative allows beneficiaries to access their entitled ration from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice, regardless of their location within the country.
He also highlighted the remarkable success of the ONORC program, noting that over 2.5 crore transactions are recorded nationwide every month. In Jammu & Kashmir alone, since the inception of ONORC, 18 lakh transactions have been recorded, underscoring a strong start for the initiative.
Addressing concerns among FPS dealers about potential ration shortages while serving beneficiaries from other regions, he clarified that FPS dealers can easily request additional ration quotas using their Electronic Point of Sale (e-POS) devices. This ensures a smooth and uninterrupted supply of ration to beneficiaries.
Secretary, DFPD, also emphasized other significant initiatives and schemes of the Department, including the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and the rice fortification initiative. These initiatives collectively aim to achieve the food and nutritional security of over 80 crore beneficiaries across the nation.
Furthermore, he reiterated that State Governments can now utilize funds from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to create Model FPSs. These model shops will serve as examples of efficiency and modernization, setting a benchmark for other FPSs in the region.
At the conclusion of the event, Secretary, DFPD, also handed over bags of fortified rice to beneficiaries attending the event, underscoring the commitment to enhancing the food security and nutritional well-being of the population. |
