**Summary:**
Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2872, addressed to the Minister of Communication on August 6, 2025, inquired about the integration of digital service delivery with welfare schemes to improve accessibility for rural beneficiaries. Specifically, the question focused on: (a) national-level steps to integrate mobile platforms and digital grievance redressal systems with flagship welfare schemes; (b) adaptation of digital service delivery initiatives (mobile apps, SMS alerts, IVRS) to local contexts in Odisha, particularly for pension, health, and rural employment schemes; and (c) collaboration with state authorities or panchayats in Balangir district to improve mobile literacy, reduce SIM-based exclusion in Aadhaar-linked benefits, and promote local language mobile interfaces for public services. The Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, stated that the information was being collected and would be presented to the House.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Communications: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for communications.
Department of Telecommunications: A department within the Ministry of Communications, Government of India, responsible for telecommunications policy.
SMT. SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO: The Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question in Lok Sabha.
Odisha: A state in India where digital service delivery initiatives are being adapted to local contexts.
Aadhaar: A 12-digit individual identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
Balangir district: A district in Odisha, India, where collaboration with state authorities or panchayats is occurring to improve mobile literacy.
DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR: Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2872
ANSWERED ON 6TH AUGUST, 2025
INTEGRATION OF DIGITAL SERVICE DELIVERY TO WELFARE SCHEMES
2872. SMT. SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has undertaken steps at the national level to integrate mobile based
platforms and digital grievance redressal systems with flagship welfare schemes to improve ease of
access for rural beneficiaries and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the digital service delivery initiatives such as the use of mobile apps, SMS-based
alerts and Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) are being adapted to local contexts in the State
of Odisha, especially for schemes related to pensions, health entitlements and rural employment and
if so, the details thereof; and
(c) whether the Government has collaborated with state authorities or panchayats in Balangir
district to improve mobile literacy, reduce SIM-based exclusion in Aadhaar-linked benefits and
promote use of local language mobile interfaces for accessing public services and if so, the details
thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) to (c) The information is being collected and would be laid on the Table of the House.
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