DBT Helps Curb Fund Leakages: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said direct benefit transfers (DBT) to bank accounts linked to mobile numbers had enabled the government to transfer ₹50 lakh crore and prevent an estimated ₹5 lakh crore from being lost to intermediaries. He was speaking at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026 in New Delhi on Thursday, organised jointly by the Department of Telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India. Modi said the earlier system had allowed leakages in the distribution of public funds, whereas DBT now enables money to reach beneficiaries directly. He also said more than ₹4 lakh crore had been transferred to farmers under the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi scheme. The Prime Minister reiterated his commitment to curbing irregularities and ensuring transparent delivery of public benefits.

Modi called on governments, telecom operators and financial service providers to work together to tackle cross-border cybercrime and threats such as deepfakes. He urged stakeholders to develop preventive mechanisms that protect people from online fraud before it occurs. Noting that cybercrime does not respect national borders, he said digital security and public trust must grow alongside technological expansion. India, he added, was ready to share its experience in combating cybercrime with the rest of the world. Modi also highlighted the growing role of mobile phones in governance and public service delivery, beyond communication. He said ongoing telecom reforms and the India Mobile Congress would help shape the future of India’s telecom sector and the global mobile industry.