**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting announced measures to improve the last-mile delivery of disaster alerts and welfare schemes through Prasar Bharati on December 10, 2023. This includes expanding DD FreeDish, focusing on public-information programming, strengthening digital access, and launching the WAVES OTT platform. The goal is to ensure wider outreach, especially in rural and border regions.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Disaster Alert & Welfare Scheme Dissemination:**
* The government recognizes the importance of disseminating welfare schemes, public advisories, and disaster-related information in rural and border regions.
* Prasar Bharati (Doordarshan and Akashvani) ensures outreach through various platforms.
* The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has implemented the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) for geo-targeted disaster alerts.
* Alerts are issued in regional languages via SMS, mobile apps, the SACHET portal, GAGAN/NaVIC, and RSS feeds.
* **Expansion of Access:**
* DD FreeDish expansion provides nationwide coverage with Doordarshan, Akashvani, private, and educational channels.
* Focused programming includes dedicated broadcasts on government schemes and disaster advisories.
* Digital access is strengthened through Prasar Bharati's social media and the 'NewsOnAir' app.
* WAVES OTT platform provides live streaming of Doordarshan and Akashvani channels.
* **Operational Akashvani FM Stations:**
* Five Akashvani FM stations are currently operational in Kosi and Purnia divisions: Bathnaha, Katihar, Kishanganj, Purnia, and Saharsa.
**Impact Analysis**
**Citizens in Rural and Border Regions**
* **Impact:** Improved access to disaster alerts and information on welfare schemes, delivered in regional languages through multiple platforms.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of and utilize the available platforms (DD FreeDish, NewsOnAir app, WAVES OTT) to access information.
**Prasar Bharati (Doordarshan and Akashvani)**
* **Impact:** Enhanced role in disseminating information, requiring the management and expansion of various platforms (DD FreeDish, WAVES OTT, social media).
* **Action Required:** Maintain and expand services across platforms, create targeted programming, and ensure information is accessible.
**National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)**
* **Impact:** Continued implementation of the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) and strengthened community preparedness.
* **Action Required:** Issue geo-targeted disaster alerts in regional languages through various channels, including SMS, mobile apps, and RSS feeds.
Key Entities Referenced
Prasar Bharati: India's public broadcaster, consisting of Doordarshan and Akashvani, used to disseminate welfare schemes and disaster alerts.
DD FreeDish: A Direct to Home (DTH) platform of Prasar Bharati providing nationwide coverage for Doordarshan channels, Akashvani channels, select private channels and educational channels.
Akashvani: All India Radio, part of Prasar Bharati, used to disseminate welfare schemes and disaster alerts.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): Responsible for implementing the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) based Integrated Alert System for geo-targeted dissemination of disaster alerts.
WAVES OTT: A streaming platform by Prasar Bharati which provides live streaming of Doordarshan and Akashvani channels.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Govt Strengthens Last-Mile Outreach for Disaster
Alerts and Welfare Schemes Through Prasar
Bharati
Disaster Alerts to Citizens Now Delivered in Regional
Languages Using Multimedia Approach
WAVES OTT, DD FreeDish and Akashvani Expand Access to
Welfare Schemes in Rural & Border Regions
प्रव तथ: 10 DEC 2025 4:03PM by PIB Delhi
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 geo-targeted
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
Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, shared this
information in the Lok Sabha today in response to a question raised by Shri Rajesh Ranjan.
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Mahesh Kumar
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2201497) आगंतुक पटल : 255
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