Historic Move as Digital India Boost First CBDC PDS Launched

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Saturday launched the country’s first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Public Distribution System (PDS) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The event marked a major step toward digitizing food grain distribution. Senior leaders and officials attended the launch at Mahatma Mandir.

Shah inaugurated the distribution of pulses in sealed 1 kg packets and launched the ‘Annapurti’ Grain ATM in Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati zone. The machine can dispense 25 kg of grain in just 35 seconds with precise weight and quality control. He also flagged off the ‘Garima Poshan – Suposhit Garudeshwar Taluka’ campaign.

Highlighting the reform, Shah said technology-driven systems like CBDC will eliminate corruption and remove middlemen from the supply chain. He emphasized that Aadhaar-based biometrics and RBI-backed digital payments will ensure full transparency. The government plans to expand this model nationwide within three to four years.

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Shah noted that India has become a global leader in digital transactions under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said nearly half of the world’s digital transactions now take place in India. The digital transformation of the food security system strengthens the government’s “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance” vision.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, the Centre provides free rations to 81 crore beneficiaries. Shah said the new digital framework will ensure that eligible citizens receive their full entitlement without leakage. He described the Grain ATM and CBDC integration as revolutionary steps in welfare delivery.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said Gujarat continues to lead the way in implementing technology-driven governance. He stressed that digital tracking and real-time monitoring will guarantee transparency and accuracy. The state will roll out Grain ATMs across Gujarat to provide 24/7 access to beneficiaries.

Union Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi termed the initiative a “Digital Satyagraha” against poverty. He said the CBDC-based system will curb black marketing and ensure food grains reach genuine beneficiaries. The digitization drive has already helped cancel crores of fake ration cards.

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said the Grain ATM model will free citizens from long queues at ration shops. Beneficiaries can now collect food grains anytime with assured accuracy in weight. He added that Gujarat’s model will serve as a blueprint for strengthening the PDS across India.

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