Lok Sabha Question No. 567 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Achievements in the Field of Communication, Broadcasting and Digital Awareness
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Ganesh Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 567

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025)

## ACHIEVEMENTS IN  THE  FIELD  OF  COMMUNICATION,  BROADCASTING  AND DIGITAL AWARENESS

## †567.  SHRI GANESH SINGH:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- a)   the details of major achievements made by the Government in the field of communication, broadcasting and digital awareness since 2014 to till date;
- b)   whether  these  achievements  have  made  any  concrete  impact  to  encourage  Right  to Information and people's participation especially in rural areas and if so, the details thereof; and
- c)   whether the Government has achieved any significant outcomes to strengthen transparency in media and administrative efficiency by using digital tools like NaViGate Bharat, Press Sewa Portal and Transparent Empanelment System and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

## [DR. L. MURUGAN]

(a) to (c): Since 2014, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has implemented a series of transformative initiatives aimed  at strengthening broadcasting, public access and digital governance across the country.

These reforms have played a crucial role in increasing public engagement and participation, with potential applications in both urban and rural settings. This has ensured greater transparency and accessibility of information.

Key initiatives, along with their respective impacts and outcomes, is as under:

- i. NaViGate Bharat Portal : The NaViGate Bharat is a unified video portal providing access to 1000+ Government of India videos under a single interactive platform. It allows users to search,  stream,  download,  and  share  videos  seamlessly.  This  further  ensures  enhanced transparency and easier access to official content.
- ii. Press  Sewa  Portal: It  is  a  digital  platform implemented  under  the  amended  Press  and Registration  of  Periodicals  Act  2023.  It  streamlines the registration of periodicals/ newspapers via a transparent single-window platform, reducing official impediments and enabling time-bound processing.
- iii. Transparent  Empanelment  System: Central  Bureau  of  Communication  (CBC)  has implemented an end-to-end digital Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) module. As part of this, the empanelment process is now entirely online ensuring transparency and efficiency.
- iv. WAVES OTT platform: Launched in 2024 by Prasar Bharati, WAVES is a multi-genre digital streaming aggregator platform providing infotainment content. It plays a key role in making information, education, and culture easily available to everyone.
- v. DD Free Dish: As the country's only Free-to-Air Direct-To-Home (DTH) service, DD Free Dish offers  a  range  of  television  channels  without  subscription  costs.  By  serving  Indian audiences, including a significant rural viewership, it contributes to wider access to news, information and educational programming.
- vi. Community Radio Station (CRS): The launch of India's 500 th  Community Radio Station in  July  2024  marks  continued  efforts  to  support  grassroots  broadcasting  and  local engagement. There has been a substantial increase in the number of sanctioned CRSs from 179 stations in 2014 to 540 stations presently.
- vii. Expansion of Private FM: Under Phase III of Private FM Radio expansion, the Government has auctioned 730 FM channels in 234 cities. This has helped grow local radio, create jobs, support regional culture, and increase income and women's participation.
- viii. Fact Check Unit (FCU): The FCU, established under Press Information Bureau, counters misinformation related to Government of India matters, especially on social media platforms. FCU has played a proactive role during Operation Sindoor and Covid-19 pandemic.

*****