Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has undertaken following steps to prevent misuse of telecom resources for cybercrimes and financial frauds:
Development of citizen centric Sanchar Saathi portal and mobile App with various facilities including reporting of suspected fraud communications.
Development of online secure Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) for sharing of information related to misuse of telecom resources among the stakeholders.
Development of a system in collaboration with Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to identify and block incoming international spoofed calls displaying Indian mobile numbers that appear to be originating within India.
DoT has undertaken following measures to act against the issue of misuse of mobile connections:
Development of AI based tool to identify the suspected mobile connections taken on fake documents. 78 lakh such mobile connections have been disconnected after reverification.
Policy instructions for re-verification of existing mobile connections identified by DoT/ TSPs/ Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).
Mandated telecom licensees to register their Point of Sale (PoS) {Franchisee, Distributors & Agents}, who enroll customers and issue SIMs on their behalf.
Biometric verification, physical verification of address of place of business & local residence of PoS. Further, police verification of PoS in J&K, Assam & North East License Service Areas (LSAs).
Blacklisting of PoS across all the TSPs if documents/ information given by PoS is false/ forged & on the directions of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs)/ Licensed Service Areas (LSAs).
Robust Know Your Customer (KYC) process for SIM Swap/ replacement.
Discontinuation of paper based KYC process.
Monthly audit on sample basis for the SIM cards issued by TSPs for compliance of guidelines.
This information was given by Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications & Rural Development, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
The Ministry of Culture aims to make India’s cultural sector a key pillar of the Viksit Bharat vision-an India that is economically advanced, socially cohesive, and globally respected for its cultural leadership, by leveraging its rich heritage, promoting inclusive participation, and driving innovation.
The vision is built on a 5-pillar strategy to ensure that arts are integrated into India’s larger developmental agenda. This comprehensive approach will contribute significantly to the creation of a prosperous, inclusive, and culturally empowered society, thus making India a proud and globally influential nation by 2047. The strategic five pillars are as under:
Preservation of Bharat’s 10,000+ Years of Cultural Heritage: This pillar is dedicated to safeguarding and conserving India’s vast and diverse cultural legacy. By preserving historical sites, indigenous arts, and traditional practices, the Ministry aims to ensure that future generations can engage with and learn from the country’s past. This focus on preservation will serve as the foundation for the development of India’s cultural industries.
Democratize Access and Participation: One of the primary goals is to overcome barriers to access and participation in the cultural sector. The Ministry is committed to making arts and cultural activities more inclusive, ensuring that all citizens, irrespective of their social and economic backgrounds, can engage with and contribute to cultural development. This will encourage “Jan Bhagidhari” or people’s participation, which is crucial for the vibrant cultural landscape envisioned in the Viksit Bharat 2047 framework.
Leverage Technology in Arts and Culture: Innovation and technology will play a significant role in both the preservation and promotion of India’s cultural heritage. Through digital platforms, virtual exhibitions, and interactive technologies, the Ministry aims to enhance access to Bharat’s cultural content globally, driving innovation in the ways heritage is experienced and shared. The integration of technology will also streamline the preservation process and offer new tools for creative expression in the arts.
Promote Culture & Creative Economy: The vision emphasizes the need to establish India as a global leader in the cultural and creative economy. By leveraging India’s diverse & rich cultural wealth, Ministry of Culture seeks to expand the creative economy around built heritage and the cultural and creative industries—such as performing arts, visual arts, architecture and design, fairs and festivals, crafts, fashion and culinary heritage, into major drivers of economic growth. This will not only create jobs and boost local economies but also establish arts and culture as significant contributors to India’s soft power on the global stage.
Position Bharat as a Global Cultural Power (Vishwabandhu): India’s arts and culture will be pivotal in strengthening its position as a “Vishwabandhu,” or global friend. The Ministry aims to use culture as a diplomatic tool for building global partnerships and enhancing India’s soft power. Focused efforts will be made to project India’s cultural narrative worldwide, fostering greater international recognition and influence. By doing so, India will maximize its impact on global cultural discourse and emerge as a leading cultural force.
The vision is supported by an activity roadmap, a responsibility matrix and an action plan. These frameworks provide detailed timelines, specific targets, and clear divisions of responsibility for each action point. By aligning the efforts of the Ministry of Culture’s various organizations with this unified vision, India’s cultural sector will be better positioned to contribute to the economic and social development goals set for 2047.
As part of the Viksit Bharat Vision 2047, the strategy adopted by Ministry of Culture to integrate technology and digital platforms to enhance global outreach of India’s cultural and heritage sites, includes, leveraging technology in preservation and restoration of cultural assets, developing a digital repository for Bharat’s tangible and intangible heritage, transforming visitor engagement at cultural institutions, integrating technology to enhance operational efficiency across Ministry of Culture organizations and addressing regulatory challenges to make Bharat a pioneer in tech-laws.
The Ministry of Culture is consistently taking innovative steps and aligning the existing schemes towards the achievement of Viksit Bharat 2047 Vision. The latest such initiative is the establishment of 20 Kalagrams across the country to replicate the success of Kalagram established by the Ministry of Culture at Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh Mela- 2025. These Kalagrams will serve as vibrant cultural spaces, creating opportunities for artists, craftsmen, performing artists, fostering cultural exchange and promoting age old traditions of Kala, Sanskriti and Parampara while acting as hubs of Creative Economy.
This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Culture implements “Global Engagement Scheme” to promote India’s rich cultural heritage internationally and enhance India’s global image. The key Scheme objective include strengthening cultural ties with foreign nations, promoting bilateral cultural contacts, projecting India’s cultural identity on the world stage and encouraging inbound tourism.
The Global Engagement Scheme is administered through Indian Missions abroad to achieve its objective through following components:
Festival of India-The artists practicing Indian art forms, are given opportunity to perform abroad under the banner of ‘Festival of India’. The artists from diverse cultural fields such as Folk Art including Folk Music, Folk Dance, Folk Theatre & Puppetry, Classical and Traditional Dance, Experimental/Contemporary Dance, Classical/Semi Classical Music, Theatre etc. perform in the ‘Festivals of India’ abroad.
Grant in aid to Indo Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies: Grant in aid is released to Indo Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies actively functioning in foreign counties through our Indian Missions with the object of fostering closer friendship and cultural contacts between India and foreign country concerned.
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), an autonomous organization under Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), promotes Indian culture worldwide through Missions / Posts and its Cultural Centres abroad. Activities conducted by them include inter-alia, teaching of Yoga, Dance, Music (vocal and instrumental), Sanskrit and Hindi; organising/supporting Conferences/ Seminars/ Workshops in different fields of Indian culture; supporting Chairs of Indian Studies in foreign universities; gifting of busts/statues of Mahatma Gandhi and other national icons, exchanging visual arts exhibitions, celebrating International Day of Yoga and Indian festivals, hosting visitors under various Visitors Programmes (Academic/ Distinguished / Important/ Gen.Next Democracy Network); and sponsoring scholarships to foreign students under different scholarship schemes. ICCR has also concluded MoUs with various State Governments to promote their culture abroad and to facilitate cultural exchanges with foreign countries. ICCR also hosts incoming foreign cultural troupes to enable Indians to discover various foreign cultures.
In addition to this, India actively engages in multilateral platforms all over the world to collaborate with other nations on a range of global issues and strengthen its position on the world stage. Since 2020 India engaged in following activities to showcase and promote Indian culture.
During India’s BRICS Presidency Ministry of Culture hosted BRICS Culture Senior Officers’ Meeting and VI BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting virtually in July 2021;
During India’s Presidency of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Ministry of Culture hosted the Conference on Shared Buddhist Heritage of SCO Member States under India’s presidency in March, 2023.
Ministry of Culture hosted the 20th SCO Culture Ministers’ Meeting under India’s presidency in April, 2023.
Ministry of Culture hosted the 1st India-Central Asia Culture Ministers Meeting (CMM) in April 2023 to enhance bilateral cultural relations;
During India’s G20 Presidency, Ministry of Culture hosted G20 Culture Working Group Meeting (CWG) & Culture Minister’s Meeting (CMM) in 2023 in Khajuraho, Bhubaneswar, Hampi and Varanasi;
The G20 Culture Working Group came out with an Outcome Document titled the ‘Kashi Culture Pathway’ which advocated for advancing “culture as a standalone goal” in the post-2030 development agenda. This was further unanimously endorsed in the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration marked a historic milestone.
Various collaborative international cultural projects were undertaken by Ministry of Culture to showcase Indian culture to the participants from G20 countries- Four Global Thematic Webinars; Exhibitions – Re(ad)dress: Return of Treasures in Khajuraho; Sustain: The Craft Idiom, in Bhubaneswar; Woven Narratives, in Hampi; G20 Art Project – Together We Art; G20 Anthology of Poetry – Under the Same Sky and Culture Unites All Campaign; G20 Orchestra- Sur Vasudha. The Exhibitions G20 Digital Museum (Culture Corridor) and Exhibition- Routes and Roots were organized on the sidelines of G20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi.
India is member state of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and is a part of several important cultural conventions of UNESCO such as 1972 Convention on World Heritage, 2003 Convention for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), Memory of the World (MOW) Programme. India is also a member of Inter-Governmental Organizations like International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) among others.
The Ministry of Culture interacts with the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of External Affairs to leverage the power of India’s Culture and Heritage as a driver of tourism, economic development and soft power.
This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including wellness tourism is undertaken by the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration. The Ministry of Tourism complements the efforts of States/UTs by promoting various tourism products of the country through various initiatives.
The Ministry of Tourism through its central sector schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan’, ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ extends financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations for tourism infrastructure development in the country.
The details of projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes are given at Annexure.
This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
***
ANNEXURE
List of Projects Under Swadesh Darshan Scheme Till 31.12.2024
(₹ in crore)
S. No.
State/UTs
No. of Projects
Amount Sanctioned
1
Andhra Pradesh
3
152.62
2
Arunachal Pradesh
2
146.49
3
Assam
2
185.66
4
Bihar
5
262.72
5
Chhattisgarh
1
96.10
6
Goa
2
197.00
7
Gujarat
3
176.97
8
Haryana
1
77.39
9
Himachal Pradesh
1
68.34
10
Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh
6
519.58
11
Jharkhand
1
30.44
12
Kerala
5
312.47
13
Madhya Pradesh
4
349.70
14
Maharashtra
2
64.53
15
Manipur
2
117.57
16
Meghalaya
2
184.10
17
Mizoram
2
158.63
18
Nagaland
2
195.50
19
Odisha
1
70.82
20
Punjab
1
85.32
21
Rajasthan
4
283.47
22
Sikkim
2
193.37
23
Tamil Nadu
1
73.13
24
Telangana
3
268.39
25
Tripura
2
127.68
26
Uttar Pradesh
8
490.95
27
Uttarakhand
2
145.49
28
West Bengal
1
67.99
29
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
1
27.57
30
Puducherry
3
142.84
31
Wayside Amenities in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
1
15.07
Total
76
5287.90
List of Sanctioned Projects Under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 as on 31.12.2024
S. No.
State
Destination
Name of the Experience
Sanctioned Cost
(₹ Crore)
Date of Sanction
1
Andhra Pradesh
Araku-Lambasingi
Borra Cave Experience at Araku
29.87
05-03-2024
2
Arunachal Pradesh
Nacho
Unlock Nacho Expedition
14.02
05-03-2024
3
Arunachal Pradesh
Mechuka
Mechuka Cultural Haat
18.48
05-03-2024
4
Arunachal Pradesh
Mechuka
Mechuka Adventure Park
12.75
05-03-2024
5
Assam
Kokrajhar
Kokrajhar Wetland Experience
26.67
05-03-2024
6
Assam
Jorhat
Reimagining Cinnamara Tea Estate
23.91
05-03-2024
7
Goa
Porvorim
Porvorim Creek Experience
23.56
20-08-2024
8
Goa
Colva
Colva Beach Experience
15.65
20-08-2024
9
Karnataka
Hampi
Setting up of ‘Traveller nooks’
25.64
29-02-2024
10
Karnataka
Mysuru
Tonga ride Heritage experience zone
2.72
29-02-2024
11
Karnataka
Mysuru
Ecological Experience Zone
18.47
05-03-2024
12
Kerala
Kumarakom
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Experience
13.92
05-03-2024
13
Ladakh
Leh
Julley Leh Biodiversity Park
24.89
05-03-2024
14
Ladakh
Kargil
Exploring LOC and Hundarman village Experience
12.01
05-03-2024
15
Madhya Pradesh
Gwalior
Phoolbagh Experience Zone
16.73
29-02-2024
16
Madhya Pradesh
Chitrakoot
Spiritual experience at Chitrakoot
27.21
05-03-2024
17
Maharashtra
Pune
Shivsrushti Historical Theme Park- Phase 3
76.22
21-09-2024
18
Meghalaya
Sohra
Waterfall Trails Experience
27.84
05-03-2024
19
Meghalaya
Sohra
Meghalayan Age Cave Experience
32.45
04-03-2024
20
Nagaland
Chumoukedima
Eco-Tourism Exp at Chumoukedima viewpoint
7.87
20-08-2024
21
Nagaland
Chumuoukedima
Tribal Cultural Experience at Midway Retreat
21.56
05-03-2024
22
Puducherry
Karaikal
Karaikal beach and waterfront experience
20.29
05-03-2024
23
Punjab
Kapurthala
Eco Tourism experience at Kanjli wetland
20.06
05-03-2024
24
Punjab
Amritsar
Border Tourism Experience at Attari
25.90
20-08-2024
25
Rajasthan
Bundi
Spiritual Experience, Keshavraipatan
17.37
29-02-2024
26
Sikkim
Gyalshing
Eco-Wellness Experience at Yuksom Cluster
15.40
05-03-2024
27
Sikkim
Gangtok
Gangtok Cultural Village
22.59
29-02-2024
28
Tamil Nadu
Mamallapuram
Immersive experience at Shore Temple
30.02
29-02-2024
29
Telangana
Bhongir
Bhongir Fort Experiential Zone
56.81
29-02-2024
30
Telangana
Ananathagiri
Eco tourism zone at Ananathgiri forest
38.00
05-03-2024
31
Uttar Pradesh
Prayagraj
Azad Park and Dekho Prayagraj Trail Exp
13.02
05-03-2024
32
Uttar Pradesh
Naimisaranya
Vedic- wellness Experience
15.94
05-03-2024
33
Uttarakhand
Pithoragarh
Rural Tourism Cluster Experience at Gunji
32.20
05-03-2024
34
Uttarakhand
Champawat
Tea Garden Experience
11.21
05-03-2024
TOTAL AMOUNT
791.25
State Wise List of Projects Sanctioned Under PRASHAD Scheme.
The National Mission for Manuscripts has digitized Three Lakh Fifty Thousand manuscripts so far in different repositories. The Mission is preserving all types of manuscripts across the nation scribed on different materials with the help of its Manuscripts Conservation Centers.
The Mission has uploaded 1,36,490 manuscripts, out of which 77,152 manuscripts are available for public access. These manuscripts can be accessed at our website https://www.namami.gov.in/
The Ministry of Culture under the aegis of Gyan Bharatam Mission is committed to expand NMM outreach through public exhibitions or digital platform extensively.
This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
The Ministry of Tourism conducts hospitality and tourism related short-term training courses under its “Capacity Building for Service Providers (CBSP)” scheme through Government and empanelled private institutes. These programmes include Hunar Se Rozgar Tak, Entrepreneurship Programme, Skill Testing & Certification, Tourism Awareness Programme, etc. The various programmes and initiatives under CBSP scheme enhance employability of the candidates majorly in tourism and hospitality sectors.
The details of expenditure, stipend paid, candidates trained and certified under the CBSP scheme during the last three years is as under:
(Amount in Rs. crore)
Year
No of candidates
Stipend paid
Total expenditure
2021-22
22034
–
21.22
2022-23
21641
0.85
15.71
2023-24
24153
2.61
21.68
This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Use of e-governance and e-courts in Income Tax Appellate Tribunal
Over 26,000 appeals and applications were filed electronically through e-filing portal up to 28.02.2025
Court rooms at new office premises of ITAT, Delhi and Lucknow benches have also been equipped with the state-of-the-art video conferencing infrastructure
State-of-the-art video conferencing infrastructure facilitating uninterrupted virtual/hybrid hearings
Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:06PM by PIB Delhi
The e-filing portal has been launched in the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) for facilitating electronic filing of appeals, applications, petitions and documents, by the stakeholders. The e-filing portal continues to gain the acceptance of the stakeholders. Over 26,000 appeals and applications were filed electronically through e-filing portal before various benches of ITAT during the year, up to 28.02.2025. The provision of free and high-speed internet at various benches has been provided through Optical Fiber Cable (OFC), for access by all stakeholders. The Court rooms at new office premises of ITAT, Delhi and Lucknow benches have also been equipped with the state-of-the-art video conferencing infrastructure to provide better hybrid/virtual hearing experience to the stakeholders. The upgradation of infrastructure including installation of latest equipment is also being enabled continuously for facilitating uninterrupted virtual/hybrid hearings.
In compliance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, ITAT has implemented hybrid / virtual hearings at all Benches, in letter and spirit, which facilitates litigants to attend hearing of their cases virtually. The benches of ITAT are not declining the requests of the parties for virtual hearings. For the period from July 2023 to December 2024, a total 1,22,302 hearings of appeals have been conducted through video conferencing before various Benches of ITAT.
This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law and Justice and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal, is being implemented since August, 2019, in partnership with States/ UTs including Rajasthan, to make provision of potable tap water supply in adequate quantity, of prescribed quality and on regular & long-term basis to rural households. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, as per existing guidelines, Bureau of Indian Standards’ BIS:10500 standards are adopted as benchmark for quality of water being supplied through the piped water supply schemes.
Drinking Water being a State subject, the responsibility of Planning, Approval, Implementation, Operation & Maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, including those under the Jal Jeevan Mission, is vested with State/UT Governments. The Government of India support the State/ UTs by providing technical and financial assistance including the State of Rajasthan.
As reported by States on JJM-IMIS, since the inception of JJM, about 7,746 fluoride affected, and 13,706 Arsenic affected habitations which have been reported to be covered with piped water supply schemes as on date.
Out of these 7,746 fluoride affected habitations in the country, 4,177 fluoride affected habitations were from the State of Rajasthan.
Out of these 4,177 fluoride affected habitations in Rajasthan, 480 and 92 habitations were from Jalore and Sirohi district respectively which are now reported by the State Government to have been covered through JJM piped water supply schemes.
Further, as on date, there are 250 Fluoride and 314 Arsenic affected rural habitations remaining in the country where the piped water supply schemes compliant to JJM standards are yet to be commissioned. However, all these habitations (250 for Fluoride and 314 for Arsenic) have been provided with safe drinking water through community based water purification plants purely as an interim measure to provide potable water to every household at the rate of 8–10 litre per capita per day (lpcd) for drinking and cooking requirements.
The State of Rajasthan has reported that its 80 remaining Fluoride affected habitations (out of 250 remaining fluoride affected habitations in the country) have been provided with safe drinking water through CWPPs/ IHPs as well.
As reported by Rajasthan in JJM-IMIS, as on date, there are no Arsenic affected habitation in the State of Rajasthan. Thus, all habitations in rural area of the country are provided safe drinking water free from Fluoride and Arsenic contamination.
Under JJM, while planning water supply schemes to provide tap water supply to households, priority is given to habitations affected by chemical contaminants including Fluoride and Arsenic. States/ UTs have been advised to plan and implement piped water supply schemes based on alternative safe water sources for the villages with water quality issues. The Department has developed a web based integrated management information system (JJM-IMIS) to capture and monitor the data of water quality affected habitations, where States/UTs provide status of habitation that have contamination in their drinking water sources.
As per the Operational Guidelines, States/ UTs can utilize up to 2% of their annual allocation of funds under JJM for Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance (WQM&S) activities, inter-alia, which includes setting up and strengthening of water quality testing laboratories, procurement of equipment, instruments, chemicals, glassware, consumables, hiring of skilled manpower, surveillance by community using field test kits (FTKs), awareness generation, educational programmes on water quality, accreditation/recognition of laboratories, etc.
To enable States/ UTs to test water samples for water quality, and for sample collection, reporting, monitoring and surveillance of drinking water sources, an online JJM – Water Quality Management Information System (WQMIS) portal has been developed. The State–wise details of water quality test reported through WQMIS are available in public domain on JJM Dashboard and can also be accessed at: https://ejalshakti.gov.in/WQMIS/Main/report
A ‘Citizen Corner’ was also developed on the JJM Dashboard. The corner included display of water quality test results in the public domain to further create awareness and build confidence among people about the quality of water supplies through the PWS in rural areas.
This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI V. SOMANNA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
12,49,496 and 1,26,966 legal awareness camps and programs organized by Legal Service Authorities during the year 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 (upto December 2024) Legal awareness camps and programs organized by Legal Service Authorities attended by around 13.93 crore and 3.06 crore persons respectively
Legal Aid System
Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:05PM by PIB Delhi
National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) was constituted under the Legal Services Authorities (LSA) Act, 1987 to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society including beneficiaries covered under Section 12 of the LSA Act, 1987. This Act ensures that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities, and to organize Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes. In addition, NALSA has also formulated various schemes for the implementation of preventive and strategic legal service programmes, which are implemented by the Legal Services Authorities at various levels i.e. State, District and Taluka level. During last three years from 2022-23 to 2024-25 (upto December 2024), 39.44 lakhs persons have been provided with free legal services.
Government is also implementing a Central Sector Scheme named “Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice in India” (DISHA) for a period of five years (2021-2026), at an outlay of Rs. 250 crores. The DISHA scheme aims to provide easy, accessible, affordable and citizen-centric delivery of legal services through the Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) and Legal Literacy and Legal awareness programme. Under the DISHA scheme, Tele- Law connects citizens with the lawyers through mobile app “Tele- Law” and Toll-Free number for rendering pre-litigation advice; Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono services) facilitates registered beneficiaries to avail pro bono legal representation in courts and under the Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programme, citizens are empowered to know, understand and avail their legal rights, duties and entitlements. Till 28th February 2025, DISHA scheme through its various programmes has covered approximately 2.10 crore beneficiaries in the country.
The Government of India is implementing another Central Sector Scheme namely; Legal Aid Defense Counsel System (LADCS) Scheme through NALSA. LADCS Scheme aims to provide legal aid with regard to criminal cases only to the beneficiaries eligible for legal aid under Section 12 of the LSA Act, 1987. The approved financial outlay of LADCS scheme is Rs. 998.43 crore for 3 years (F.Y. 2023-24 to F.Y. 2025-26). As on 30th December 2024, LADC offices are functional in 654 districts across the country and has engaged 5251 staff including 3448 Defense Counsels. During the year 2024-25 (upto December, 2024), LADCS offices dealt more than 3.95 lakh criminal cases.
Legal awareness programmes are held across the country by Legal Service Authorities on various laws and schemes relating to children, labourers, victims of disaster, SC and ST, persons suffering from disability, etc. Legal Services Authorities also prepare booklets and pamphlets in simple language on various laws and are distributed amongst the people. 12,49,496 and 1,26,966 legal awareness camps and programs organized by Legal Service Authorities during the year 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 (upto December 2024) which were attended by around 13.93 crore and 3.06 crore persons respectively.
This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law and Justice and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
Government of India had launched Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), a centrally sponsored scheme in August 2019, aiming at providing Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to every rural household by 2024.
At the start the Mission, only 3.23 Crore (16.7%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections. So far, as reported by States/ UTs as on 31.03.2025, under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal around 12.34 Crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on 31.03.2025, out of 19.36 Crore rural households in the country, more than 15.57 Crore (80.38%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes. State/ UT-wise details are below.
To achieve 100 per cent coverage through continued implementation of mission with focus on quality of infrastructure and Operation & Maintenance of rural piped water supply schemes for long term sustainability and citizen centric water service delivery, Hon’ble Finance Minister during her budget speech 2025-26 has announced extension of Jal Jeevan Mission until 2028 with enhanced total outlay.
Drinking Water is a State subject, as such planning, approval, implementation, operation and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, lies with State governments. Government of India supplements the efforts of the States by providing technical and financial assistance. Moreover, in respect of State/ UT-wise details of action initiated, specific complaints are sent to the concerned States/UTs and appropriate action are taken by them. Further, through operational guidelines of the Mission, States have been advised to incorporate requisite penalty clauses in the contract documents so as to disincentivize the agencies to avoid delay in implementation.
JJM: State/ UT-wise status of tap water connections in rural households as on 31.03.2025
(Number in lakhs)
S. No.
State/ UT
Total rural HHs
Rural HHs with tap water supply as on 15.8.2019
Rural HHs given tap water connections since 15.8.2019
Rural HHs with tap water connection as on date
No.
%
No.
%
No.
%
1.
A & N Islands
0.62
0.29
46.02
0.33
53.98
0.62
100.00 100.00
2.
Arunachal Pr.
2.29
0.23
9.97
2.06
90.03
2.29
100.00
3.
DNH & DD
0.85
0.00
0.00
0.85
100.00
0.85
100.00
4.
Goa
2.64
1.99
75.44
0.65
24.56
2.64
100.00
5.
Gujarat
91.18
65.16
71.46
26.02
28.54
91.18
100.00
6.
Haryana
30.41
17.66
58.08
12.75
41.92
30.41
100.00
7.
Himachal Pr.
17.09
7.63
44.64
9.46
55.36
17.09
100.00
8.
Mizoram
1.33
0.09
6.91
1.24
93.09
1.33
100.00
9.
Puducherry
1.15
0.94
81.33
0.21
18.67
1.15
100.00
10.
Punjab
34.27
16.79
48.98
17.48
51.02
34.27
100.00
11.
Telangana
53.98
15.68
29.05
38.30
70.95
53.98
100.00
12.
Uttarakhand
14.50
1.30
8.99
12.83
88.46
14.13
97.45
13.
Ladakh
0.41
0.01
3.48
0.38
93.30
0.39
96.77
14.
Bihar
167.55
3.16
1.89
157.19
93.82
160.36
95.71
15.
Nagaland
3.64
0.14
3.82
3.24
88.95
3.37
92.76
16.
Lakshadweep
0.13
0.00
0.12
91.41
0.12
91.41
17.
Sikkim
1.33
0.70
52.96
0.51
38.32
1.21
91.28
18.
Maharashtra
146.79
48.44
33.00
82.76
56.38
131.20
89.38
19.
Uttar Pr.
267.22
5.16
1.93
232.72
87.09
237.89
89.03
20.
Tamil Nadu
125.27
21.76
17.37
89.29
71.27
111.05
88.64
21.
Tripura
7.51
0.25
3.26
6.18
82.30
6.42
85.56
22.
Karnataka
101.31
24.51
24.20
60.73
59.95
85.25
84.15
23.
Meghalaya
6.51
0.05
0.70
5.30
81.41
5.34
82.11
24.
Assam
72.25
1.11
1.54
57.77
79.95
58.88
81.49
25.
J & K
19.21
5.75
29.95
9.85
51.27
15.60
81.22
26.
Chhattisgarh
50.01
3.20
6.39
37.20
74.39
40.40
80.78
27.
Manipur
4.52
0.26
5.74
3.34
73.85
3.59
79.59
28.
Odisha
88.69
3.11
3.50
64.85
73.11
67.96
76.62
29.
Andhra Pr.
95.53
30.74
32.18
39.78
41.64
70.52
73.82
30.
Madhya Pr.
111.79
13.53
12.10
63.38
56.69
76.91
68.80
31.
Rajasthan
107.74
11.74
10.90
48.72
45.22
60.46
56.12
32.
West Bengal
175.56
2.15
1.22
94.76
53.97
96.91
55.20
33.
Jharkhand
62.55
3.45
5.52
30.86
49.33
34.31
54.85
34.
Kerala
70.77
16.64
23.51
21.91
30.96
38.56
54.48
Total
19,36.61
3,23.63
16.71
12,33.02
63.67
15,56.65
80.38
Source: JJM – IMIS HH: Households
This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI V. SOMANNA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.