In a country first, digital currency-based food subsidy transfer to be launched in Chandigarh today
In a landmark milestone for India’s digital governance and public welfare ecosystem, Chandigarh will tomorrow make history as the first state or Union Territory to launch Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for food subsidy under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
The initiative will be launched by the Department of Food & Supplies and Consumer Affairs & Legal Metrology, Chandigarh Administration, in partnership with the Department of Food & Public Distribution, Government of India, the Reserve Bank of India, the National Informatics Centre, and Punjab National Bank, at a ceremony to be held at Tagore Theatre, Sector 18.
The ceremony will be presided over by Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, will be the chief guest, while Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Education, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and New & Renewable Energy, will be the special guest on the occasion.
Beneficiaries can then use their e-rupee subsidy to purchase foodgrains at empanelled merchants, completing the journey from government treasury to kitchen table on a single, traceable digital rail.
