New Delhi, Feb 1 (UNI) Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday announced "One Nation One Ration Card" for providing benefits to workers in unorganised sectors.

'One Nation One Ration Card plan is under implementation by 32 states and UTs, reaching about 69 crore beneficiaries – that's a total of 86 per cent beneficiaries covered,' Ms Sitharaman said.

Last year, the labourers and migrants were hardest hit from Covid-19 crisis and nationwide lockdown due to hardships in getting rationed food and jobs. This in all forced many to leave cities and return to their villages.

This scheme allows beneficiaries to claim their rations from anywhere in the country, especially the migrant workers, with a partial claim from where they are stationed, while their family, in their native places, can claim the rest, the minister said.

Ms Sitharaman also proposed to launch a portal that will collect relevant information on gig, building and construction-workers among others. This will also help formulate health, housing, skill, insurance, credit, and food schemes for migrant workers.

The government will implement the new labour codes for extending social security benefits to gig and platform workers with the application of minimum wages across all categories of workers.

Women will be allowed to work in all categories and also in the night-shifts with adequate protection, Ms Sitharaman said.

UNI PS SV 1852