New Delhi, 01 March (H.S.):
In a landmark move for food security and Public Distribution System (PDS) modernization, the central government launched India's inaugural CBDC-based Digital Food Currency pilot under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), inaugurated by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi in Puducherry on Sunday.The Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister hailed the integration of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) into PDS as revolutionary, aiming for every grain, every rupee, every right.
Over 80 crore beneficiaries stand to gain from unprecedented transparency, with subsidies shifting from bank accounts to CBDC wallets for direct, intermediary-free use at fair price shops.Joshi noted that 25 crore people escaped multidimensional poverty in the last 11 years, with free grains slashing household food costs by up to 50%, freeing savings for nutritious extras like milk and vegetables.
Post-Puducherry success, the pilot expands to Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and 3-4 other regions, paving nationwide rollout based on outcomes.Puducherry CM N. Rangasamy and Lt Governor K. Kailashnathan lauded the initiative as a new chapter in empowering the underprivileged.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
