Explanations:The "One nation, one ration card" scheme is a significant initiative by the Indian government aimed at providing uniform access to subsidized food grains across the country. This scheme allows individuals to access their ration card benefits in any part of the country, irrespective of their place of residence. The scheme is part of the government's efforts to streamline and improve the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Initially, the scheme was implemented in a certain number of states and Union Territories (UTs). The question states that the government has added three more states—Odisha, Mizoram, and Sikkim—to the scheme. To determine the total number of states and UTs covered by the scheme, we need to add these three states to the existing count.
Let's assume that before the addition of these three states, the scheme covered a certain number of states and UTs. The question does not provide the exact number of states and UTs covered before the addition, but it is implied that the addition of these three states brings the total to 20 states and UTs. Therefore, the correct answer is that the scheme now covers a total of 20 states and UTs.
It is important to note that the scheme's coverage is a dynamic figure that can change as more states and UTs are added. The government's goal is to eventually cover all states and UTs under this scheme, thereby providing uniform access to subsidized food grains across the country.
Understanding the concept of the "One nation, one ration card" scheme and the process of counting and adding states and UTs is crucial for answering questions related to government initiatives and schemes. This knowledge is particularly relevant for competitive exams such as UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, and Civil Services, where questions on government schemes and their coverage are common.