SC directs States and Union Territories to give ration cards to migrant workers

The Supreme Court SC directs States and Union Territories to give ration cards to migrant workers through the e-Shram portal, ensuring eligible workers receive their benefits.

• The ration cards must be issued irrespective of the quotas defined in Section 3 of NFSA.

Section 3 of NFSA 2013:

• Section 3 of NFSA 2013 focuses on the right to receive food grains at subsidized prices under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
• Priority Households are entitled to 5 kgs of subsidized foodgrains per person per month, whereas Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households can receive 35 kgs per household per month.
• The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) provides these foodgrains free of cost to both categories.

About e-Shram Portal:

• Established by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the e-Shram portal aims to compile a National Database of Unorganized Workers to streamline the provision of welfare benefits.
• Despite approximately 29 crore registrants, around 8 crores lack ration cards, hindering their access to subsidized foodgrains under NFSA 2013.

About One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC):

• Launched in 2018, the ONORC is an IT-driven scheme implemented to ensure food security across India, including for internal migrants, by allowing national Ration Card portability.

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