This document summarizes the Indian government's response to questions regarding the provision of rations to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, as addressed in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2965 on August 6, 2025.
The government clarifies that the National Food Security Act (NFSA) of 2013 aims to provide subsidized foodgrains to a significant portion of the population, specifically up to 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population, covering 81.35 crore beneficiaries based on the Census 2011. The NFSA does not categorize beneficiaries as "BPL." Instead, it identifies households under two categories: Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Households (PHH). AAY households, considered the poorest, receive 35 kg of foodgrains per household per month. PHH are entitled to 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month, free of cost. Foodgrains include rice, wheat, coarse grains, or any combination thereof, adhering to quality standards set by the Central Government.
The "One Nation One Ration Card" (ONORC) initiative enables approximately 80 crore beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) to access their entitled foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) across the country using their existing ration card and biometric authentication via electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) devices. Family members can also access portions of the PMGKAY foodgrains in their home State/Union Territory using the same ration card. The ONORC feature is implemented in all 36 States/UTs, covering all PMGKAY beneficiaries.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution: The Indian government ministry responsible for consumer protection, food security, and public distribution of essential commodities.
Below Poverty Line: An economic benchmark used to identify individuals and families living in poverty.
National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA): An Indian law that aims to provide subsidized food grains to a large section of the population.
Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY): A scheme under the NFSA that provides food grains to the poorest of the poor families at highly subsidized prices.
Priority Households (PHH): Households identified by State Governments/Union Territories as eligible for subsidized food grains under the NFSA, excluding AAY households.
One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC): An initiative to enable beneficiaries to access their entitled food grains from any Fair Price Shop across the country using their existing ration card.
PMGKAY: An initiative to provide food grains.
States/Union Territories: The administrative divisions of India where the National Food Security Act (NFSA) is implemented.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS. FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2965
TO BE ANSWERED ON 6Tll AUGUST, 2025
RATION FOR BPL FAMILIES
2965. SHRI RAMPRIT MANDAL:
SHRI KAtJSHALENDRA KUMAR:
SHRI GIRIDHARI YAD AV:
SHRI DINESH CHANDRA YADAV:
Will the Minister of CONSUIVIER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION
be pleased to state:
(a): whether there is a provision to authorise solely Below Poverty Line (BPL) families to
ration through ration cards issued by the Government;
(b): the quantum of ration currently being provided to BPL families through ration cards
along with the price fixed for the separate items provided through ration cards; and
(c): the details of the benefits provided to the common man of the country through One
Nation One Ration Card?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS.
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)
(a): The National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA), being implemented in all the
States/UTs, on an all India basis, aims to supplement the food requirements of upto 75% of
the rural and upto 50% of the urban population which at Census 2011 comes to 81.35 crore
beneficiaries. The Coverage under the Act is substantially high to ensure that all the
vulnerable and needy sections of the society get its benefit.
Identification of beneficiaries under the NFSA is under two categories- households
covered under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) to the extent specified by the Central
Government and the remaining households as priority households to be identified by the State
Governments/ Union Territories (UT) Administrations as per criteria evolved by them, within
the coverage determined for the State/UT. There is no BPL category under the Act.-2-
(b): Under the Act, while Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, which constitute
poorest of the poor are entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains, per Household per month, Priority
Households (PHH) are entitled to 5 kg offoodgrains per person per month, free of cost.
The term “foodgrains” is defined as rice, wheat or coarse grains or any combination
thereof conforming to such quality norms as may be determined, by order, by the Central
Government from time to time
(c): The nationwide portability of ration cards is popularly known as One Nation One
Ration Card (ONORC) feature. Through this technology driven reform, around 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 same existing ration card
with biometric authentication on an electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) device. The family back
home can also lift the part of the PMGKAY foodgrains in the home State/UT on the same
ration card. ONe)RC feature is enabled in all 36 States/UTs, across the country, covering all
100% PN4GKAY beneficiaries
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