opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 331 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Centres for Senior Citizens
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri V K Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.331 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2025

## CENTRES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

## 331. SHRI V K SREEKANDAN:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Government is considering to set centres for senior citizens in 27 States and Union Territories to act as key nodal agencies for all senior citizens care related activities, if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether these regional centres will be responsible for running training and awareness programmes, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B.L.VERMA)

- (a) to (b) : The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), a component of Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), under which grants-in-aid is provided to NGOs/Voluntary Organisations for running and maintenance of Senior Citizens Homes(old age homes), Continuous Care Homes, etc. Facilities like shelter, nutrition, medicare and recreational activities are provided free of cost to the indigent senior citizens living in such homes. Under the scheme, a total of 696 Senior Citizen Homes are functioning across the country, covering Twenty Nine States/UTs.

There are Eleven Regional Resource Training Centres(RRTs) functioning under the scheme which act as key nodal agency on aged care and provide overall technical support and inputs on senior citizens programs in their assigned States allocated by the Ministry. They also carry out advocacy, awareness generation, training of stakeholders, database generation, inspections, monitoring, research and liaising with the State Governments of the States assigned in the field of old age care.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 324 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Cultivation of Less Water-Intensive Crops
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 324

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 22 ND  JULY, 2025

## CULTIVATION OF LESS WATER-INTENSIVE CROPS

324. SMT. MAHIMA KUMARI MEWAR:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has initiated any policy measures to promote cultivation of less water-intensive crops and to create awareness among farmers regarding various water management techniques for agriculture in the country, including Rajasthan; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) & (b): The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare ( DA&FW) is implementing the Crop  Diversification  Programme  (CDP)  under  the  Pradhan  Mantri-  Rashtriya  Krishi  Vikas Yojana  (PM-RKVY)  in  the  Original  Green  Revolution  States viz ;  Haryana,  Punjab  and western Uttar Pradesh to divert the area of water intensive paddy crop to alternative crops like  pulses,  oilseeds,  coarse  cereals,  nutri-cereals  (shree  anna)  etc.  Under  the  CDP, assistance  is  given  for  alternative  crops  demonstration,  farm  mechanization  and  value addition, site-specific activities, awareness, farmers training etc.

The DA&FW also supplements the efforts of state governments including Rajasthan to encourage diversified production of crops such as pulses, coarse cereals and nutri-cereals (shree anna) under the National Food Security & Nutrition Mission (NFSNM), oilseeds under the  National  Mission  on  Edible  Oil-Oilseeds  (NMEO-OS)  and  horticultural  crops  under  the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).

The  Government  of  India  also  provides  flexibility  to  the  states  for  state  specific needs/priorities  under  the  PM-RKVY.  The  states  can  promote  less  water  intensive  crops under the PM-RKVY with the approval of State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) headed by the Chief Secretary of the respective states.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 308 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Vision 2030 for Textile Industry
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Parbhubhai Nagarbhai Vasava

## VISION 2030 FOR TEXTILE INDUSTRY

## 308. SHRI PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

(a)  the  details  of  initiatives  taken  to  enhance  cotton  productivity  and  quality  promote  innovation  and strengthen the entire textile value chain in line with the Vision 2030 to have a US$ 350 billion textile industry;

(b)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  for  facilitative  collaboration  between  farmers,  industry  and research institutions to strengthen the entire cotton value chain; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर ANSWER

## वस्त्र मंत्री ( श्री गिररराज स ंह )

## MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

(a): To enhance cotton productivity and quality, promote innovation and strengthen the entire textile value chain in line with the Vision 2030, a five-year 'Mission for Cotton Productivity' was announced by Hon'ble Finance Minister in her budget speech 2025-26.   The Department of Agricultural Research &  Education  (DARE)  is  the  nodal  department  for  implementing  the  Mission,  with  the  Ministry  of Textiles  as  a  partner.    The  Mission  aims  to  boost  cotton  production  through  strategic  interventions, including research and extension activities across all cotton-growing states.  The Mission also proposes to focus on developing climate-smart, pest-resistant, and high-yielding cotton varieties, including Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton, using advanced breeding and biotechnology tools.

A  Special  Project  on  Cotton  titled  'Targeting  technologies  to  agro-ecological  zones-large  scale demonstration of best practices to enhance cotton productivity' has been implemented by ICAR- Central Institute  for  Cotton  Research  (CICR),  Nagpur  in  8  major  cotton  growing  states  under  National  Food Security  and  Nutrition  Mission  (NFSNM)  during  2023-24,  2024-25  and  is  ongoing  in  2025-26  to enhance productivity of cotton and production of ELS cotton.   The total outlay of the Special Project is Rs. 6,032.35 lakhs.

(b) & (c): The 'Mission for Cotton Productivity' aims to equip farmers with cutting-edge scientific and technological support, enabling higher productivity, superior fibre quality, and improved resilience against climatic and pest-related challenges. Aligned with the Government's integrated 5F vision, Farm to  Fibre  to  Factory  to  Fashion  to  Foreign,  the  Mission  is  expected  to  boost  cotton  farmers'  incomes, ensure  a  steady  supply  of  high-quality  cotton,  and  revitalize  India's  traditional  textile  sector,  thereby enhancing its global competitiveness.
Lok Sabha Question No. 303 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Boosting Domestic Production of Rare Earth Metals
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Babu Singh Kushwaha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 303

ANSWERED ON 22.07.2025

## BOOSTING DOMESTIC PRODUCTION OF RARE EARTH METALS

## †303.  SHRI BABU SINGH KUSHWAHA:

## Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  India  has  outlined  a  seven-year  plan  to  boost  domestic  production  of  rare  earth metals after China banned their exports;
- (b) if so, the details of the main objectives of the scheme, timeline and implementing agencies;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  formulate  a  dedicated  policy  to  ensure  indigenous supplies in sectors like defence, electronics and clean energy under the said scheme; and
- (d) if not, whether the Government is considering any alternative strategies to reduce dependence on these sectors?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA)

(a) to (c): NITI Aayog & Indian Rare Earth Limited (IREL) under Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has prepared a document on 'Incentivisation framework for establishment of Downstream industry using Rare Earth Elements'.  Further, IREL under DAE has set-up a Rare Earth  Permanent  Magnet  (REPM)  plant  in  the  country  for  production  of  Samarian-Cobalt magnets from indigenous resources exclusively for use in defence & atomic energy sector.

- (d): Does not arise.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 302 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Funds Allocation to NTTM
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri S Venkatesan

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 302 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2025

## FUNDS ALLOCATION TO NTTM

## 302. SHRI S VENKATESAN:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

- (a) the details of amount allocated to National Technical Textile Mission (NTTM) during the last five years and the current year, year-wise; and
- (b)  the  details  of  amount  spent  from  NTTM  during  the  last  five  years  and  first  quarter  of  the  current financial year, year-wise?

उत्तर

## ANSWER )

## वस्त्र मंत्री ( श्री गिररराज स ंह

## MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

- (a) & (b): The  details  of  amount  allocated  to  National  Technical  Textiles  Mission  (NTTM)  and grant released from NTTM from 2020-21 to 2025-26 are as under:

(amount in Rs. Cr)

|   S. No. | F.Y.                              |   Budget Allocated |   Grant releaseds |
|----------|-----------------------------------|--------------------|-------------------|
|        1 | 2020-2021                         |                  0 |              0    |
|        2 | 2021-2022                         |                 60 |             59.69 |
|        3 | 2022-2023                         |                 37 |             36.15 |
|        4 | 2023-2024                         |                170 |             62.23 |
|        5 | 2024-2025                         |                250 |            249.09 |
|        6 | 2025-2026 (till 30 th June, 2025) |                370 |            141.29 |

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 296 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Central List of Other Backward Classes
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Manickam Tagore B, Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar, Shri Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.296 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2025

## CENTRAL LIST OF OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES

## 296. SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH: SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B: SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether since 2018, no comprehensive update to the Central List of Other Backward Classes has been published if so, the reasons for this delay;
- (b) whether the Government plans to release an updated and consolidated list soon and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether some specific castes or communities have been added or modified in the Central OBC list since 2018, if so, the reasons the Ministry has initiated a full revision or nationwide review of OBC classifications despite social and demographic changes;
- (d) the reaffirmation of States' powers to identify OBCs through the 2021 amendment and is the manner in which the Ministry coordinating with State Governments to ensure harmonization and timely reflection of eligible communities in the Central List; and
- (e) the details and number of proposals for inclusion, exclusion, or revision have been received by the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBCs) since 2018 and the percentage of these have been acted upon by the Central Government?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B.L.VERMA)

- (a) to (e): After 102nd Constitution Amendment Act, 2018 which came into force on 11.08.2018, inclusion/exclusion in the Central List of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes is done in accordance with the provisions of Article 342A of the Constitution of India.

The 105th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2021, restored the States' power to identify OBCs for their own Lists.

National Commission for Backward Classes has informed that they have tendered 09 (Nine) Advices.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 294 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Assistance under NDMF for Kakinada Coastal Erosion Mitigation Project
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Tangella Uday Srinivas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 294

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 22 ND  JULY, 2025/ ASHADHA 31, 1947 (SAKA)

ASSISTANCE UNDER NDMF FOR KAKINADA COASTAL EROSION MITIGATION PROJECT

294.    SHRI TANGELLA UDAY SRINIVAS:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  received  any  proposal  from  the Government of Andhra Pradesh for the implementation of the Kakinada Coastal Erosion Mitigation Project aimed at addressing severe sea erosion along the Kakinada coast;
- (b) if so, the current status of the proposal, including details of appraisal, approval and timeline for implementation;
- (c)  whether  any  financial  assistance  has  been  sought  by  the  State Government under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) or any other  Central  scheme  for  this  project  and  if  so,  the  quantum  of  funds proposed or approved; and
- (d) the steps being taken by the Union Government to support the early commencement of this project to protect lives, livelihoods and coastal infrastructure in Kakinada?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) & (b): The State  Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh  has  submitted  its proposal  titled,  'Enhancing  Coastal  Resilience  for  Kakinada  Coast'  to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).  The proposal has been forwarded to the Central Government by NDMA, after technical appraisal.

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 294 FOR 22.07.2025

The proposal of the State is aimed at improving the coastal resilience and protect the land from eroding in five coastal villages of Kakinada district viz. Nemam, Komaragiri, Subbampeta, Uppada and Aminabad.

(c) & (d): To mitigate the risk of erosion, Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV-FC) had recommended an allocation of Rs.1500 crore from NDMF for the award period 2021-22 to 2025-26. Central Government has issued on 20.06.2024, the guidelines for Approval and Release of funds for Coastal and River Erosion under NDMF based on the recommendations of the XVFC under NDMF. The guidelines are available  on  MHA  website www.ndmindia.mha.gov.in.

The State Government has proposed financial assistance of Rs. 323.00 crore for this project for funding from NDMF.

The project proposal submitted by the State Government is considered by the Central Government  as  per  extant  guidelines, which  includes assessment by the Sub-Committee of the National Executive Committee (SC-NEC), and approval by the High-Level Committee (HLC).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 290 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Sale of Pesticide and Agrochemicals to Farmers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Rahul Singh Lodhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 290

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22 ND  JULY, 2025

## SALE OF PESTICIDE AND AGROCHEMICALS TO FARMERS

290.  SHRI RAHUL SINGH LODHI:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  multinational  companies  allowed  to  sell  pesticides  and  agricultural chemicals  to  farmers  in  the  country  are  made  bound  to  keep  the  interests  of  the farmers in mind;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  interests  of  the  farmers the  Government  keeps in  mind  while allowing the companies to sell pesticides;
- (c) if not, whether the Government proposes to formulate any policy to provide free safety material  like  eye  goggles,  nose  masks  and  hand  gloves  to  the  farmers  while purchasing  pesticides  and  agricultural  chemicals  to  protect  the  farmers  from  the adverse effects of pesticides on their health; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a)  to  (d):  The  Government  of  India  regulates  the  manufacture,  sale  and  the  use  of pesticides  in  the  country  through  comprehensive  legislation  known  as  Insecticides  Act, 1968 and Insecticides Rules, 1971 and pesticides are allowed for use in the country only after ensuring the efficacy and safety of the pesticides to prevent risk to human beings or animals or environment and for matters connected therewith. Further, all the manufacturers including multinational companies are mandated to prescribe the details of doses, crops, usage  instructions, toxicity triangle, safety  pictograms, precautionary measures, antidotes etc. on Label and Leaflets of pesticides for the benefit of farmers.

Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  Farmers  Welfare  through  its  Central  Integrated  Pest Management  Centers  (CIPMCs),  Krishi  Vigyan  Kendras  (KVKs)  and  State  Agriculture Departments, undertakes various training programs to educate farmers, state agriculture extension workers, and pesticide dealers on the use of pesticides according to their label claim,  safe  handling  practices  of  pesticides  and  the  use  of  Protective  clothing  such  as protective  outer  garment/overalls/hood/hat,  hand  gloves,  eye  goggles,  nose  masks  and boots to protect the farmers from the adverse effects of pesticides on their health.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 289 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: One District One Product
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Varun Chaudhry

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 289.

TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, THE 22 ND  JULY, 2025.

## ONE DISTRICT ONE PRODUCT

## 289.   SHRI VARUN CHAUDHRY:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) the details of budget spent on One District One Product since inception, yearwise and State-wise; and
- (b) the impact of One District One Product program in the State of Haryana in terms of  economic  growth,  employment  generation,  innovation  and  technological advancement, district-wise?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री णिणिन प्रसाद ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

- (a) & (b): One  District  One  Product  (ODOP)  is  not  a  scheme,  but  an  initiative  by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPlIT) without any financial  component.  The  State  Governments  are  provided  support  under capacity building initiative in collaboration with various agencies, e-commerce on-boarding drives, branding of ODOP products and participation in various exhibitions  are  undertaken  for  ODOP  products  of  all  States.  The  State Government may use ongoing schemes(central or state) to extend assistance to  ODOP  enterprises.  For  examples,  as  per  information  made  available  by Government of Haryana, 204 ODOP  based Micro Food Processing Enterprises(MFPEs)  in  22  districts  of  Haryana  have  been  supported  under Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme(PMFME). The  total  Budget  spent  as  Grant-in-Aid  to  ODOP  based MFPEs since 2020-21 in Haryana is Rs. 6,82,40,479/-. The specific districtwise data on its impact in terms of economic growth, employment, innovation, or technology in Haryana is not available with DPIIT.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 288 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Welfare Schems for Handloom Weavers
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Dr. Nishikant Dubey

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 288 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2025

## WELFARE SCHEMS FOR HANDLOOM WEAVERS

288. DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

- (a) the details of schemes implemented/are being implemented for the welfare of handloom weavers;
- (b) the detailed data of the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council during the last three years; and
- (c) the names of the schemes under consideration of the Government for equitable and secured income of textile traders and weavers to secure their future?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र मंत्री ( श्री गिररराज स ंह )

## MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

- (a): Ministry of Textiles, Government  of India is implementing following schemes for the welfare of handloom  weavers/workers  under  National  Handloom  Development  Programme  (NHDP)  across  the country:
-  Financial  support  of  Rs.8,000/-  per  month  to  Awardee  handloom  weavers/workers  above  60 years  of  age,  in  indigent  circumstances  having  annual  income  below  Rs.1.00  lakh  and Scholarship upto Rs.2.00 lakh per annum to handloom weavers/workers' child (upto 2 children) for study in Diploma/Under Graduate/Post Graduate courses of Central/State Govt. recognized/funded Textiles Institutions.
-  Universal  and  affordable  social  security  in  case  of  natural/accidental  death  and  total/partial disability through insurance schemes i.e. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY).
- (b): As per the data of  Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics, the total export of cotton textiles including cotton yarn, cotton fabrics, madeups, other textile yarn, fabric madeups and cotton raw including waste has been US 35,642 million dollars for the last 3 years.
- (c): There is no proposal currently under consideration.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 280 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Impact of Ministry's Website on Public Participation and Service Delivery
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Shri Shankar Lalwani, Shri Jugal Kishore

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 280

FOR ANSWER ON 22.07.2025

## IMPACT OF MINISTRY'S WEBSITE ON PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND SERVICE DELIVERY

280. SHRI SHANKAR LALWANI: SHRI JUGAL KISHORE:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

(a) the key features and benefits of the newly launched "Ministry of Steel" website;

(b) the manner in which the Government is monitoring the impact of the "Ministry of Steel" website on public participation and service delivery; and

(c) the initiatives planned to be taken to increase awareness and usage of the website among different user groups?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE          (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA)

- MINISTRY OF STEEL (a) The  newly  launched  Ministry of  Steel  website  enhances  transparency, accessibility,  and efficiency through a modern, user-friendly interface. Key features include robust cyber security measures, and multilingual support via BHASHINI for wider public outreach. (b) The Ministry monitors the website's impact on public participation and service delivery through website traffic analysis and user engagement metrics. To increase awareness and usage, Ministry undertakes targeted campaigns
- *****

(c) through social media outreach.