e-rupee project for food grain subsidy to be expanded across country: Union Minister in Puducherry

Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi on Thursday (February 26, 2026) said the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Food Subsidy Distribution programme under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana will be extended to all States after completing the pilot projects.

Speaking after inaugurating the CBDC-based Direct Benefit Transfer in Puducherry, the Union Minister said the programme was first launched as a pilot project in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. “Today (February 26), we have launched the programme in Puducherry as a pilot project. Next, it will be taken to Chandigarh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, before being expanded to other States,” he said.