In a groundbreaking move for digital finance in welfare distribution, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to inaugurate India’s pioneering Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Public Distribution System (PDS) on Sunday at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
This innovative initiative, spearheaded by the Gujarat Department of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs, leverages the Reserve Bank of India’s authorized CBDC platform to streamline subsidy transfers. Developed by Punjab National Bank, the system will deliver digital tokens directly to beneficiaries’ wallets, embedding details like item type, quantity, and price for seamless transactions.
The pilot phase targets 26,333 families across Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati zone, Surat, Anand, and Valsad. Smartphone users can authenticate purchases via QR codes, while feature phone holders will receive one-time passwords through Aadhaar-based verification, ensuring inclusivity across digital divides.
Joining Shah at the event will be Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution Prahlad Joshi, and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi. Beyond CBDC, the state is rolling out standardized 1-kg sealed packets of tuvar and chana dal at open distribution points for National Food Security Act beneficiaries, upholding quality standards.
A highlight is the launch of an ‘Annapurti Grain ATM’ in Sabarmati zone, Ahmedabad—a 24/7 machine capable of dispensing up to 25 kg of grains in just 35 seconds. Additionally, the government will sign MoUs with CARE Ratings and the Consumer Education and Research Centre to introduce a Consumer Accountability Index for rating companies.
To expedite out-of-court resolution of consumer disputes, a dedicated mechanism is being established. The ‘Garima Poshan – Suposhit Garudeshwar Taluka’ campaign will allocate Rs 1.65 crore from Gujarat State Civil Supplies Corporation’s CSR funds to combat malnutrition in Narmada district’s Garudeshwar taluka, including two model anganwadis and targeted health interventions for adolescent girls and pregnant women.
This multifaceted event underscores Gujarat’s leadership in blending digital innovation with social welfare, promising efficient, transparent, and nutritious food security for millions.