Precisely, it would be a difficult task for the RBI to issue Digital Rupee. It comes with a host of technological, legal and economic issues that warrant careful consideration and planning. Of course, the apex bank would ensure that the implementation of monetary policy and the financial stability of the country are not compromised when deploying a digital rupee.

Remarkably, the introduction of CBDC is in line with the statement of RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das. Late last year, he said the apex bank might offer a pilot of its fiat digital currency. Earlier, during the last monetary policy review on August 6, 2021, RBI Deputy Governor T Rabi Sankar said that the central bank is expected to launch a fiat digital currency by December.

Meanwhile, there are some wrinkles attached to digital currencies and need to be ironed out. Let me reproduce these issues reported by some experts. First, if CBDCs are indeed effective disintermediation vehicles for retail savers, this could have a negative effect on bank deposits and, ultimately, bank credit growth.

Some central banks are considering ways to limit the holdings of retail and institutional CBDCs, either through hard limits or monetary disincentives. This requires greater public discussion.