- The Centre has designed a standard format for ration cards as it moves ahead with ‘one nation, one ration card’initiative and has asked state governments to follow the pattern while issuing fresh ration cards.
- Currently, the central government’s ambitious initiative is being implemented on a pilot basis in a cluster of six states. It wants to implement this facility across the country from June 1, 2020.
- Under this initiative, eligible beneficiaries would be able to avail their entitled food-grains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA)from any Fair Price Shop in the country using the same ration card.
- The states have also been told to have a 10-digit standard ration card number, wherein first two digits will be state code and the next two digits will be running ration card numbers.