Roadmap for Answer Writing 1. Introduction: Briefly introduce the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and its role in strengthening India’s manufacturing sector. Mention the long-standing nature of India’s industrial policy, with the last major update in 1991. Pose the central question: whether a new ...
Model Answer The 'One Nation-One Ration Card' (ONORC) scheme plays a crucial role in ensuring food security for vulnerable populations in India by improving the portability and efficiency of the Public Distribution System (PDS). Role of ONORC in Ensuring Food Security Portability of PDS Benefits: ONRead more
Model Answer
The ‘One Nation-One Ration Card’ (ONORC) scheme plays a crucial role in ensuring food security for vulnerable populations in India by improving the portability and efficiency of the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Role of ONORC in Ensuring Food Security
Portability of PDS Benefits: ONORC allows over 67 million migrant households to access PDS benefits at any Fair Price Shop (FPS) across the country. This is especially beneficial for migrant workers and their families, who often face difficulty in accessing food entitlements due to migration.
Elimination of Fake & Duplicate Ration Cards: The scheme uses Aadhaar-based biometric authentication, which significantly reduces fraud, duplicate cards, and leakages in the system. This ensures that the rations reach the intended beneficiaries.
Choice and Convenience: Beneficiaries can choose any FPS that suits them, enabling them to avoid corrupt or inefficient dealers. This gives families flexibility and ensures that they can access their entitlements easily.
Mera Ration App: The mobile application allows beneficiaries to register online, check their entitlements, locate nearby FPSs, and verify their Aadhaar seeding status, improving accessibility and transparency.
Challenges to Successful Implementation
Lack of Awareness: Despite the benefits, 20% of eligible households did not know they could use the portability feature. This lack of awareness hampers the full potential of ONORC.
Technical Issues: The scheme relies heavily on technology, and problems like poor internet connectivity, device failure, and glitches in biometric authentication can cause inconvenience. 57% of dealers reported issues like poor connectivity, leading to refusal of service.
Supply Chain Challenges: 32% of PDS dealers reported stockouts, as the portability feature leads to an unpredictable demand at FPSs. This creates challenges in managing the supply of food grains.
Under-coverage and Aadhaar Seeding Issues: The 2011 census for NFSA eligibility excludes many low-income households, while problems with Aadhaar seeding (such as name mismatches) prevent some individuals, especially divorced women, from accessing their rations.
To achieve SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by 2030, overcoming these challenges is crucial for ensuring the success of ONORC and securing food access for vulnerable populations.
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Model Answer Introduction The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has been a game-changer in strengthening India's manufacturing sector, attracting both domestic and foreign investments. However, despite its success, the need for a comprehensive industrial policy remains critical to ensure sustRead more
Model Answer
Introduction
The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has been a game-changer in strengthening India’s manufacturing sector, attracting both domestic and foreign investments. However, despite its success, the need for a comprehensive industrial policy remains critical to ensure sustained and inclusive industrial growth. Below is an assessment of the role of the PLI scheme and the necessity for a new industrial policy.
Role of the PLI Scheme
Example: Electronics, automobiles, and textiles are all major sectors benefitting from the PLI scheme.
Need for a New Industrial Policy
While the PLI scheme has delivered impressive results, a new industrial policy is crucial to address broader and long-term challenges:
Conclusion
While the PLI scheme is an important tool for boosting India’s manufacturing sector, a new industrial policy is essential to provide a broader, more inclusive, and sustainable framework for industrial development. Instead of replacing the PLI, the new policy can complement it, focusing on long-term strategic goals and addressing areas that the PLI does not cover.
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