Amit Shah Inaugurates India’s First CBDC-Powered PDS in Gujarat
HM Amit Shah to launch India’s first CBDC-based Public Distribution System in Gujarat today.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to inaugurate India’s first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Public Distribution System (PDS) on Sunday at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The initiative, developed by the Gujarat Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department in collaboration with Punjab National Bank, aims to digitize subsidy transfers using the RBI-authorised CBDC platform.
Under the pilot phase, the system will cover 26,333 families across the Sabarmati zone of Ahmedabad and select areas in Surat, Anand, and Valsad. Beneficiaries with smartphones can authenticate transactions via QR codes, while feature phone users will receive one-time passwords through an Aadhaar-based verification system, ensuring inclusive access to digital benefits.
The event will be attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi, and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi. In addition to the CBDC-based PDS, the state will distribute tur and chana in standardised one-kilogram sealed packs to ensure quality and transparency under the National Food Security Act.
Also Read: Starlink Enters Gujarat with Pact for Remote Internet Access
A highlight of the initiative is the launch of the ‘Annapurti Grain ATM’ in Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati zone. Operational 24/7, the machine can dispense up to 25 kg of grains in just 35 seconds, significantly reducing queues and streamlining access for beneficiaries.
Gujarat will also introduce a Consumer Responsibility Index through MoUs with Care Rating and the Consumer Education and Research Centre. The index will rate companies on consumer-centric practices, complemented by a conciliation and pre-litigation mechanism to facilitate faster out-of-court settlements for consumer disputes.
Separately, under the ‘Garima Poshan – Suposhit Garudeshwar Taluka’ campaign, ₹1.65 crore from Gujarat State Civil Supplies Corporation’s CSR funds will support nutrition interventions in Narmada district. The project includes the establishment of two model anganwadis and targeted health programmes for adolescent girls and pregnant women, further strengthening the state’s public welfare initiatives.
Also Read: Cleared After 30 Years in Rs 20 Bribe Case, Gujarat Constable Dies Next Day
