India
Direct Benefit Transfer Saves India ₹5 Lakh Crore from Leakages, Modi Says
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that nearly ₹5 lakh crore could have been lost to leakages under the old welfare‑delivery system, and that the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism has prevented that loss. Speaking at the India Mobile Congress 2026, Modi highlighted that about ₹50 lakh crore has been transferred directly to beneficiaries through DBT, with funds reaching mobile‑linked bank accounts. He noted that the same amount could have been lost if the earlier system had continued, and that the money is now reaching its intended recipients. Modi also cited the PM‑KISAN Samman Nidhi scheme, stating that more than ₹4 lakh crore has been deposited into farmers’ bank accounts, with payments made every four months and farmers notified via mobile messages. The Prime Minister stressed that technology, particularly mobile‑linked banking, has improved trust and delivery of public services, and that the government is determined to stop “wrong practices” that lead to leakages. The remarks were made as Modi underscored India’s shift toward a digital economy and the growing role of technology in governance.