'One nation, one ration card' in Odisha from Sept 1

The Odisha government has decided to implement the Centre's 'one nation, one ration card' programme from September 1.

Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain said here on Tuesday, it would be implemented on a pilot basis for ration cardholders under the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and later across the state.

Under the policy, beneficiaries can receive ration from any Public Distribution System (PDS) outlet under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and the State Food Security Scheme (SFSS).

"We will implement this in Bhubaneswar first on a pilot basis and in other places in the next phases. The scheme will ensure inter-state portability of ration cards. The facility is similar to that of ATM cards, wherein beneficiaries will have access to any PDS shop they want," Swain said.