Gandhinagar, February 15 – Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated India’s pioneering Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-enabled Public Distribution System (PDS) here on Sunday, hailing it as a game-changer for delivering affordable grains to the poor.
Shah highlighted India’s dominance in global digital transactions, stating that the country now accounts for over half of the world’s total digital payments. ‘When I speak of Digital India today, looking back 11 years, it’s unimaginable that 60 crore people lacked bank accounts in their families. Under PM Modi’s leadership, India now handles half the world’s digital transactions,’ he remarked.
Emphasizing the transformative power of technology, the Home Minister noted how Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) has curbed corruption worth over Rs 15 lakh crore. This new initiative by the Food Ministry, he said, will ensure a transparent distribution system, embodying PM Modi’s vision of ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.’
Recalling the early days of reform, Shah pointed out that corruption often began with grain weighing. Digital scales were introduced, followed by e-ration cards, the ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ scheme, and now this advanced CBDC-based system for enhanced transparency.
Praising PM Modi’s commitment, Shah said digital connectivity has reached 1.07 lakh villages from just 500 under previous regimes. ‘In 2014, PM Modi declared his government for the poor, Dalits, backward classes, and tribals. Today, we smile seeing 81 crore people receiving 5 kg free ration monthly – more than twice Europe’s population,’ he added.
Shah listed key welfare achievements: 4 crore houses under PMAY, tap water in 13 crore homes, gas connections in 13 crore households, toilets in 12 crore homes, and 2.91 crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’ – underscoring inclusive development.