The Impressive TimesGandhinagar | February 15, 2026- In a landmark move towards digitising welfare delivery, Amit Shah, Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation, on Saturday inaugurated a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-powered Public Distribution System (PDS) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The initiative aims to modernise ration distribution by combining advanced technology with transparent governance.
The launch event was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi, along with senior officials and other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, Amit Shah said the Digital India mission, envisioned by Narendra Modi, is now transforming the food supply and ration distribution ecosystem. He stated that digital tools are being used not only for financial inclusion but also to ensure that subsidised food grains reach the poor without leakages or delays.
Shah highlighted that India has emerged as a global leader in digital transactions and recalled that millions of families earlier had no access to formal banking. He said this digital strength is now being channelled to strengthen food security, ensuring that entitlements reach the most vulnerable sections directly and efficiently.
The Union Home Minister explained that the CBDC-based PDS would significantly curb corruption and eliminate the role of intermediaries. Drawing parallels with the success of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), he said this new mechanism would further strengthen transparency and accountability in welfare delivery, reflecting the government’s philosophy of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.”
He also inaugurated the ‘Annapurna’ automated ration distribution machine, capable of dispensing 25 kilograms of food grains in about 35 seconds. According to Shah, the machine ensures precise quantity, improved quality control, and full transparency. He said the model would be expanded nationwide over the next three to four years.
Shah noted that with improved digital connectivity now reaching over one lakh villages, the groundwork has been laid for such technology-driven reforms. He reiterated that under the current system, eligible beneficiaries across the country would continue to receive 5 kg of free food grains per person, with technology ensuring fair and timely distribution.
Highlighting broader welfare initiatives, Shah said government schemes have significantly improved living standards over the past decade, lifting crores of citizens out of poverty and strengthening food security for nearly 80 crore people.
On the agriculture front, he asserted that farmers’ interests have been protected through policy reforms and international trade agreements, while dismissing opposition criticism as misleading. He said India’s farming, dairy, and fisheries sectors have been safeguarded, with new global market access opening opportunities for agricultural exports.
Concluding his address, Amit Shah said the CBDC-based PDS represents a decisive step towards a corruption-free, citizen-centric food distribution system, ensuring that the constitutional right to food reaches every deserving household without barriers.
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