Launch of digital rupee is a historic milestone in the evaluation of currency- Shri Ajay Kumar Choudhary, Executive Director, Reserve Bank of India

PR No – 361

23 December, 2022 

New Delhi

Launch of digital rupee is a historic milestone in the evaluation of currency- Shri Ajay Kumar Choudhary, Executive Director, Reserve Bank of India

Digital currency would bring in a lot of operational efficiency in the system and will foster financial inclusion stated Shri Ajay Kumar Choudhary, Executive Director, Reserve Bank of India at an interactive session on “Digital Rupee: A Way Forward” organised by the PHD Chambers of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI).  

Shri Ajay Kumar Choudhary, Executive Director, Reserve Bank of stated that as of 2021, as per the central bank digital currency (CBDC) tracker almost 105 countries representing 95 percent of the world GDP have taken steps to inculcate digital currency in their ecosystem. He further added that around 50 countries are at the advanced phase of exploration to launch the digital currency, while 10 countries have fully launched the digital currency.  

According to Shri Choudhary, digital rupee will add the resilience associated with innovation in the way payments are made. It will also boost innovation in the cross-border payment space, he said. The markets will develop more huge cases in time to come as per their specific requirement. CBDC will give the public the desired experience while ensuring consumer protection but avoiding the damaging social and economic consequences, he added.

Shri Choudhary explained that digital currency is going to fill the strategic space needed at this point of time. He said that digital currency is expected to complement rather than to replace the current forms of currency. It would provide an additional avenue to the users as a payment instrument.

He stated that the Reserve Bank of India would be taking all steps to ensure that the issuance of CBDC follows a calibrated and nuanced approach with adequate safeguards to tackle any potential difficulties and risks so as to build a system which is inclusive, competitive, and responsive to innovation and tech changes.     

Explaining the difference between digital currency and UPI, Shri Choudhary mentioned that like physical currency, digital currency issued by the central bank is the RBI’s liability whereas UPI is a means of payment. Any transaction through UPI is the respective bank’s liability, he pointed out.

Shri Anuj Kumar, General Manager, RBI stated that the digital currency has nothing to do with payments and this is a physical currency getting converted into a digital one.  He explained that just like we hold physical currency in our physical wallet, this would be a digital currency in our digital wallet. The form is only changing, and no other thing is changing.

He stated that the cost involved in printing the physical currency would be eliminated in the long term. Other than the printing cost, there would be other costs like setting up a press, getting the manpower, importing high-quality paper from foreign locations and the ink used, all this would be saved.

Shri Hemant Jain, Vice President, PHDCCI in his welcome address stated that the Central Bank’s digital currency is based on the principals of trust, safety, liquidity, and integrity. He informed that the switch over to digital currency will plug the loopholes and eventually wipe out all the black money in the system.

Shri Jain informed that the PHD Chamber of Commerce has been working as a catalyst of promoting Indian industry and trade for the past 117 years. He said that PHDCCI is a forward-looking dynamic apex organization and a voice of industry and trade. He further informed that almost 70 percent of the members fall under the MSME category which is the focus of the government today.

Shri Saurabh Sanyal, CEO & Secretary General, PHDCCI gave the concluding remarks and Vote of thanks for the interactive session.

Dr S P Sharma, Chief Economist | DSG, PHDCCI gave Opening Remarks and Moderated the session. 

The session was sponsored by PHDCCI’s Annual Sponsors – Multani Pharmaceuticals Ltd; Star Wire; PG Industry; Uflex Ltd; DLF Ltd; Continental Carriers Pvt Ltd; Belair Travel & Cargo Pvt Ltd; Radico Khaitan Ltd; Jindal Steel & Power; MMG Group; Paramount Communications; Superior Industries Limited; JK Tyre & Industries Ltd; SMC Investments and Advisors Ltd; Crystal Crop Protection Ltd; Sagar Group of Industries; Samsung India Electronics; Comtech Interio; R E Rogers; AYUSH Herbs Private Ltd; Apeejay Stya Group; DCM Shriram; EaseMyTrip; Blossom Kochhar Beauty Products Pvt Ltd; Oswal Greentech; Trident Group; MV Cotspin Ltd; Synergy Environics Ltd; Ajit Industries Pvt Ltd; P S BEDI & Co.; Indian Farmer &Fertilizers Corporation Ltd; Jindal Steel; Hindware Sanitary; Modern Automobiles; Livit Ltd; Central Coalfields Ltd  ; Axa Parenterals; Bhagwati Plastic and Pipes Industries; J K Insurance Brokers Ltd; DD Pharmaceutical Ltd.

 

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Warm Regards,

Media Division

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry