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.

Model Answer

Introduction

India is the world’s third-largest fish producer, and the fisheries sector plays a crucial role in the country’s food security, livelihoods, and economic development. Over 14 million people are employed in this sector, contributing significantly to India’s economy. However, there are growing concerns about the fisheries subsidies agreement currently being negotiated at the World Trade Organization (WTO), which could have implications for India’s fisheries sector.

Importance of the Fisheries Sector

1. Food Security

• Nutritional Value: Fish is an excellent source of high-quality protein, essential fatty acids, and important micronutrients like vitamins and minerals. It plays a key role in addressing malnutrition and improving dietary diversity, especially for vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women.
• Combating Nutritional Deficiencies: Fish consumption helps in combating hidden hunger (micronutrient deficiencies), which is a common issue among poorer populations. It helps improve the health and well-being of millions of people across India.

2. Livelihoods

• Employment: According to data from the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO), over 14 million people in India depend on the fisheries sector. Fishing and related activities provide vital income and job opportunities, especially in coastal states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
• Women Empowerment: Women in rural and coastal communities play a significant role in post-harvest activities, including fish processing and marketing. This provides economic opportunities for women, helping to empower them socially and financially.

3. Economic Growth

• Contribution to GDP: The fisheries sector contributes significantly to India’s GDP. In 2020, it accounted for around 24% of the Gross Value Added (GVA) in agriculture. The sector has shown strong growth, with an average annual growth rate of 10.87% since 2014-15.
• Export Potential: India is the 4th largest exporter of fish globally, contributing 7.7% to global fish production. In 2020-21, India’s fish and seafood exports were valued at over $7 billion, highlighting the importance of the sector to India’s foreign exchange earnings.

Concerns Regarding the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Pact

While the fisheries subsidies agreement seeks to address overfishing and sustainable fishing practices, it raises several concerns for India’s fisheries sector:

1. Prohibition on Research and Development (R&D) Subsidies

• The agreement bans subsidies for R&D, which could hinder technological advancements in India’s fishing industry. As a result, India may fall behind in modernizing its fishing techniques compared to other nations that are not bound by this restriction.

2. Potential Job Losses

• The pact also restricts subsidies for overfished or destructive fishing practices, which could affect small-scale fishermen in India. These fishermen, who rely on subsidies for operational costs, may be forced to stop fishing due to increased compliance costs and reduced financial support.

3. Competitiveness Issues

• Indian fishing industries may face increased challenges competing with countries that offer larger subsidies to their fishing sectors. This could make Indian fish exports less competitive in international markets.

4. Market Disruptions

• Reductions in subsidies for certain fishing methods might lead to disruptions in the market. This could impact both the fishing industry and consumers, as the cost of fish may rise due to limited supply.

5. Limited Access to Resources

• The restrictions on subsidies for fishing in certain areas, including the high seas, may limit India’s fishing vessels’ ability to access valuable fish stocks. This could reduce India’s catch and affect the livelihoods of those in the sector.

6. Unequal Impact on India

• Critics argue that the agreement disproportionately affects countries like India, which have smaller fisheries subsidies compared to developed nations. It does not adequately address the overfishing and overcapacity problems caused by advanced fishing nations that have historically provided large subsidies.