Lok Sabha Question No. 1740 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-10
Subject: Dissemination of Government Schemes
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Ranjan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1740

## (TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025)

## DISSEMINATION OF GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

## 1740.  SHRI RAJESH RANJAN:

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

- (a) whether adequate coverage and reliable dissemination of Government schemes, welfare programmes and disaster-related information is not being achieved in several areas across the country, particularly in rural and border areas;
- (b) if  so,  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  strengthen  Doordarshan,  Akashvani  and digital platforms;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  prepared  any  proposal  for  establishing  additional  towers, transmitters and digital information centres in districts with weak networks, particularly in the border areas of Bihar including Kosi and Purnia divisions; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  time  by  which  the  same  is  likely  to  be implemented and if not, the new action plan for such areas?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a)  to  (d):  The  Government  recognises  the  importance  of  dissemination  of  welfare  schemes, public  advisories  and  disaster-related  information,  particularly  in  rural,  remote  and  border regions.

Through  its  public  broadcaster  Prasar  Bharati  (Doordarshan  and  Akashvani),  the  Government ensures  wide  outreach  using  FM/MW/SW  radio  networks,  terrestrial  TV  transmitters,  DD FreeDish, digital platforms and mobile applications.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has implemented  the  Common  Alerting  Protocol  (CAP)  based  Integrated  Alert  System  for  geotargeted dissemination of disaster alerts.

The  alerts  are  issued  in  regional  languages  through  SMS,  mobile  apps,  the  SACHET  portal, GAGAN/NaVIC satellite terminals and RSS feeds.

Additionally,  NDMA  is  strengthening  community  preparedness  through  extensive  awareness initiatives using electronic and print media, regional-language content, outreach vans, and street plays.

## To further strengthen last-mile delivery, the Government has taken the following measures:

-  Expansion through DD  FreeDish: Direct to Home  (DTH)  platform providing nationwide  coverage,  including  rural  and  border  areas. It carries  all  Doordarshan channels, 48 Akashvani channels, select private channels and 260+ educational channels.
-  Focused  public-information  programming: Doordarshan  and  DD  News  broadcast dedicated programmes, documentaries and reports on Government schemes and disaster advisories through daily bulletins and shows such as Charcha Mein , Aapda Ka Samna , Cabinet Ke Bade Faisle and Cyber Alert.
-  Strengthening digital access: Prasar Bharati uses its social media outreach to disseminate information. 260+ Akashvani stations are also available on the 'NewsOnAir' app on Android and iOS.
-  WAVES  OTT  platform: Prasar  Bharati  has  launched  WAVES,  which  provides  live streaming of Doordarshan and Akashvani channels, along with selected private news and entertainment channels, further widening access for citizens.

The following Five Akashvani FM stations are currently operational in Kosi and Purnia divisions:

|   Sl. No. | Locations of station   | District   | Division   |
|-----------|------------------------|------------|------------|
|         1 | Bathnaha (10 kW)       | Araria     | Purnia     |
|         2 | Katihar (100 W)        | Katihar    | Purnia     |
|         3 | Kishanganj (100 W)     | Kishanganj | Purnia     |
|         4 | Purnia (10 kW)         | Purnia     | Purnia     |
|         5 | Saharsa (100 W)        | Saharsa    | Kosi       |