Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], February 15 (ANI): Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched the nation’s first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based clear, fashionable and user-friendly Public Distribution System in Gandhinagar.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister for Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi graced the occasion held at Mahatma Mandir.
On this event, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the distribution of chickpeas and tur dal in 1 kg sealed packets, inaugurated the Annapurti Grain ATM facility within the Sabarmati zone of Ahmedabad, and initiated the ”Garima Poshan – Suposhit Garudeshwar Taluka’ marketing campaign, in line with the Gujarat Chief Minister’s workplace (CMO).
Furthermore, within the presence of the dignitaries, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Food and Civil Supplies Department and the Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC) to safeguard shopper pursuits. This MoU will set up a pre-litigation grievance redressal ecosystem to make sure points are resolved earlier than reaching the courts.
Furthermore, the Food and Civil Supplies Department signed an MoU with CARE Ratings and the Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC) to develop a ‘Consumer Responsibility Index’ (CRI).
On the launch of assorted tasks to digitise and make the Public Distribution System extra clear, HM Amit Shah prolonged greetings to the nation on Maha Shivratri. The CMO said that, impressed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the enlargement of ‘Digital India’ has now reached the Public Distribution System.
He additional famous {that a} decade in the past, practically 60 crore individuals within the nation didn’t have financial institution accounts of their households. However, below the Prime Minister’s management, India has emerged as a world chief in digital transactions, with practically half of the world’s whole digital transactions happening in India.
Speaking additional on digital transformation, HM Shri Amit Shah stated that technology-driven reform is now changing into a actuality in delivering inexpensive meals grains to the poor. Under this initiative, fashionable methods such because the CBDC undertaking and the ‘Made in Gujarat’ Annapurti Grain ATM have been made operational.
The CMO said that he emphasised that this new technology-based framework will get rid of corruption and take away middlemen, making certain that residents in distant villages, districts, and backward areas obtain their full meals grain entitlements immediately and transparently.
Congratulating all collaborating establishments in addition to the Central and State departments related to the CBDC undertaking, HM Amit Shah stated that this contemporary system really embodies the Prime Minister’s mantra of ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.’
He additional said that below the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, 81 crore individuals throughout the nation are at the moment receiving free rations from the federal government. This meals safety framework has now turn into digital and clear.
Referring to the Grain ATM, the Annapurti machine, the brand new pulses packaging initiative, and the Garima Poshan marketing campaign launched throughout this system, HM Amit Shah termed them as revolutionary initiatives in offering meals safety to the poor.
Elaborating additional, Amit Shah said that the Annapurti machine will allow the distribution of 25 kg of grain in simply 35 seconds, making certain full accuracy in weight, worth, and high quality.
He added that this method, built-in with the Aadhaar-based biometric mechanism, CBDC, and the cost system of the Reserve Bank of India, shall be applied nationwide over the following three to 4 years. As a consequence, beneficiaries throughout the nation will obtain their entitled high quality rations conveniently and with full transparency.
Highlighting the affect of welfare initiatives, Amit Shah said that below the management of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the holistic growth of the poor and each citizen has been ensured by way of the efficient implementation of quite a few schemes. He famous that over the previous decade, the development of 4 crore homes below the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Nal se Jal connections in 13 crore households, LPG connections in round 13 crore houses below the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, bathrooms in 12 crore households below the Swachh Bharat Mission, and a pair of.91 crore ladies changing into ‘Lakhpati Didis’ replicate the success of the federal government’s initiatives, the CMO said.
Emphasising the safety of farmers and cattle-rearers, Amit Shah said that below the management of the Prime Minister, the federal government has remained steadfast in its dedication to farmer welfare.
He stated that over the previous decade, procurement of meals grains from farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP) has elevated fifteenfold, whereas the agriculture price range has elevated from Rs 26,000 crore to Rs 1,29,000 crore.
He additional famous that in International Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), India’s dairy, agriculture, and fisheries sectors have been supplied complete safety, thereby making certain safety for home producers whereas additionally opening international markets for Indian merchandise.
UHM Shri Amit Shah congratulated Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, and the Government of Gujarat for selecting Gujarat for the CBDC-based clear distribution system for this pilot undertaking. He described this leak-proof mannequin as a blueprint for a Viksit Bharat.
On this event, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that below the management of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the steering of HM Amit Shah, a brand new chapter in public welfare is being written with the mantra of ‘Je Kahevu Te Karvu.’
He added that the Prime Minister has laid a powerful basis for a Viksit Bharat by way of GYAN–empowering the GYAN –Garib (the Poor), Yuva (Youth), Annadata (Farmers), and Mahila (Women).
Referring to the transformative energy of know-how, CM stated that overcoming earlier doubts about digital funds, India has right now established itself because the world’s largest consumer of UPI.
He famous that Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile–strengthened additional by AI-based database connectivity–have ensured that the advantages of presidency schemes attain beneficiaries immediately and transparently.
Focusing on the 4 pillars of meals, housing, well being, and revenue safety, he added, has enabled practically 25 crore individuals within the nation to rise above the poverty line over the previous decade.
CM stated that ‘Grain ATMs’ will now be made operational throughout the state for the distribution of meals grains. Through these ATMs, 25 kg of grain could be allotted in simply 35 seconds, and the machines will operate across the clock.
He added that this facility will allow employees and members of the labour class to gather wheat, rice, and pulses entitled below the National Food Security Act at their comfort, even after working hours, marking a major step towards empowering every citizen.
Speaking in regards to the CBDC-based Public Distribution System, the CM stated this know-how will present beneficiaries with exact info on subsidies, product weights, and pricing through digital tokens.
He emphasised that digital monitoring and real-time monitoring will guarantee full transparency within the supply of advantages, thereby fulfilling the federal government’s dedication to a ‘saturation method’–reaching each eligible beneficiary with out exception.
CM expressed confidence that after not too long ago connecting cattle-rearers with AI-driven options by way of Amul, this technology-based initiative within the Public Distribution System would additionally show to be a milestone.
He added that, following the Prime Minister’s mantra of ‘Sewa hello Sadhana,’ the state authorities is steadfastly progressing towards the imaginative and prescient of a ‘Viksit Bharat from Viksit Gujarat’ @2047, making certain that know-how delivers advantages to the final particular person in society.
Extending greetings on the event of Maha Shivratri, Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister for Food and Public Distribution, stated that below the management of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the CBDC-based initiative shouldn’t be merely a know-how app or portal, however a transformative step that can safe the rightful entry to meals grains for practically 80 crore needy beneficiaries, the CMO stated.
He said that this modern initiative will additional strengthen the world’s largest meals safety program, which is being applied below the Prime Minister’s steering. He added that integrating superior know-how into the grain distribution system was as soon as a serious problem, however below the ‘Digital India’ marketing campaign, this process has turn into considerably simpler and extra environment friendly.
He said that with the nationwide digitisation of ration playing cards, the imaginative and prescient of ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ has been efficiently realised. Through digital coupons launched below the initiative of the Reserve Bank of India, beneficiaries can accumulate meals grains at any time by merely scanning a QR code at a Grain ATM.
He added that even beneficiaries with primary cellphones will be capable to entry the power, because the system will allow grain distribution through OTP verification despatched through SMS.
The implementation of this know-how has led to the cancellation of practically 2 to three crore faux ration playing cards, making certain better integrity within the system. With the launch of the CBDC-based framework, solely real beneficiaries will be capable to entry the advantages.
Since the digital entitlement for meals grains shall be credited on to the beneficiary’s pockets, it may be used completely for buying grain from truthful worth outlets and Grain ATMs, stopping misuse elsewhere.
The introduction of this digital grain distribution mannequin in Gujarat is predicted to create a constructive ripple impact throughout different states, serving to to get rid of duplicate ration playing cards and additional strengthen transparency nationwide.
Union Minister stated that the CBDC-based inexpensive grain distribution system will stand as a ‘Digital Satyagraha’ towards poverty on the banks of the Sabarmati River. He stated this initiative will assist curb black advertising and be certain that meals grains attain needy beneficiaries swiftly and transparently.
The Minister added that this modern mannequin shall be expanded nationwide within the coming years.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said that the nation’s digital foreign money will assist guarantee meals reaches the plates of the poor. He remarked {that a} new chapter of historical past is being written as soon as once more on the soil of Gujarat.
He added that the nation is on the verge of witnessing a transformative revolution that can redefine and strengthen the Public Distribution System, not solely in Gujarat however throughout India.
Deputy CM added that making certain meals safety has lengthy been a major problem in an enormous nation like India. In the previous, points similar to middlemen and lengthy queues at ration outlets usually delayed the supply of presidency grain to beneficiaries. He emphasised that the CBDC-based Public Distribution System undertaking will present an enduring answer to those challenges.
He stated that historically, the preliminary advantages of latest applied sciences have usually reached massive industrialists first. However, below the management of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the steering of HM Amit Shah, India has charted a brand new course–where fashionable improvements like Digital Currency are getting used first to make sure meals reaches the plates of the poor.
He said that beneficiaries will not have to attend for shopkeepers, as they’ll accumulate their entitled grain from a Grain ATM at any time, 24 hours a day, inside simply 5 minutes. The system ensures precision, with not even a one-gram variation in weight, making it a powerful instance of ‘Digital India’ in motion.
He added that Gujarat’s forward-looking model–integrating CBDC, Grain ATMs, and biometric-based systems–will function a guiding framework for all the nation, making certain that the rightful beneficiary receives their due transparently and with out inconvenience.
In her welcome handle, Mona Khandhar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Food and Civil Supplies Department, supplied detailed insights into all the program and its modern initiatives. She said that below the visionary management of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is steadily advancing towards a digital revolution.
She added that with the introduction of India’s Central Bank Digital Currency–e-Rupee–a new period of recent fintech has begun within the nation, and Gujarat is poised to take a number one position on this transformation.
The occasion was attended by Union Minister of State for Food and Public Distribution, Nimuben Bambhaniya, Gujarat’s Minister for Food and Civil Supplies; Ramanbhai Solanki, Minister of State; P.C. Baranda, Mayor of Gandhinagar; Miraben Patel, numerous MPs and MLAs, Secretary of the Department of Food and Public Distribution of the Government of India, Sanjeev Chopra, Executive Director of the Reserve Bank of India, P. Vasudevan, Executive Director of Punjab National Bank-PNB D. Surendran, together with central and state authorities officers, different dignitaries, and a lot of beneficiaries, the CMO famous. (ANI)