Parliament Question: ONORC and PDS

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 544 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22ND JULY, 2026 ONORC AND PDS 544. DR. PRABHA MALLIKARJUN: Will the Minister of CONSUIVIER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state: (a): whether the Government has reviewed the implementation of the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme and reforms in the Public Distribution System (PDS); (b): if so, the number of beneficiaries covered under the ONORC scheme; (c): whether portability has improved access to foodgrains for beneficiaries and if so, the details thereof; (d): whether any leakages or exclusion errors have been identified and if so, the details thereof; (e): the details of the steps taken by the Government to promote digitisation and transparency in the Public Distribution System; and (f): the details of the measures taken by the Government to strengthen the delivery of food security benefits? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA) (a) to (c): Through the technology-driven reform of One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) approximately 80 Crore PMGKAY beneficiaries are empowered to lift their entitled foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice, anywhere in the country, by using their existing ration card with biometric authentication on an electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) device. Currently, the ONORC feature is enabled in all 36 States/UTs, across the country, covering almost 100% PVIGKAY beneficiaries. As on date, more than 221 Crore portability transactions (including migrant labourers) have been recorded under ONORC.(d): Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) under National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and the State/ Union Territory (UT) Governments. Central Government is responsible for procurement, allocation and transportation of foodgrains upto the designated depots of the Food Corporation of India (FCI). The operational responsibilities for allocation of foodgrains within the States/ UTs, identification of eligible beneficiaries, issuance of ration cards to them, distribution of foodgrains to eligible beneficiaries under TPDS, issuance of license to Fair Price Shop dealers, supervision over and monitoring of functioning ofFPSs etc. rest with the concerned State/ UT Governments. Helpline number 1967/1800-State series number is operational in all the States/ UTs for contacting and redressal of the complaints in Public Distribution System and filing any type of complaints by the intended beneficiaries. As and when complaints related to PDS, including leakages of PDS foodgrains, are received in this Department from any source, they are sent to State/ UT Governments concerned for inquiry and appropriate action. (e) & (f): The steps taken by the Government to promote digitisation and transparency in PDS and to strengthen the delivery of food security benefits are as follows – i. Digitisation & Aadhaar seeding: Ration cards/beneficiary database 100% digitised in all States/UTs; 99.7% of ration cards Aadhaar-seeded, eliminating ineligible/duplicate cards ii. Transparency & grievance redressal: Transparency portals and online grievance redressal/toll-free helplines operational in all States/UTs. iii. Online allocation & supply chain computerisation: Online allocation implemented in all States/UTs; supply chain computerised in 31 States/UTs (except Chandigarh, Puducherry and urban Dadra & Nagar Haveli, which have adopted DBT Cash Transfer). iv. ePoS-based Aadhaar authentication at FPS level: 5.50 lakh (99.8%) of 5.51 lakh Fair Price Shops automated with ePoS devices, ensuring biometric authentication of beneficiaries at the point of distribution and curbing diversion.V. One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC): Nationwide portability implemented across all 36 States/UTs, covering all PMGKAY beneficiaries; over 221 crore portability transactions recorded to date, reducing exclusion and duplicate entitlement claims. vi. Rightful Targeting (RT): A dedicated de-duplication and beneficiary-verification exercise using Aadhaar/PDS data analytics has led to identification and deletion of ineligible/duplicate beneficiaries, with 5.95 Cr flagged beneficiaries (excluding landholding cases) and 2.35 Cr deleted beneficiaries. vii. SMART-PDS reform initiative: Being implemented with modules for Ration Card Management, Distribution, Supply Chain and Grievance Redressal to further standardise and digitally integrate State-level TPDS operations. viii. NIRMAL & SAKSHAM: New initiatives under the SARTHAK PDS Umbrella Scheme (2026–31) aimed at strengthening data architecture/analytics (NIRMAL) and real-time data integration (including VLTS) from Procurement of food grains to Distribution to the beneficiaries (SaI<sham). ####8