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Type: Schemes

  • Animal Husbandry, Dairy & Fisheries Sector – Pashudhan Sanjivani, E- Pashudhan Haat, etc

    Progress track: PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

    15 September 2023 | Schemes | Agriculture
    Mains Paper 3: Economics Of Animal-Rearing

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: PM Matsya Sampada Yojana

    Mains level: Read the attached story

    matsya sampada

    Central Idea

    • In 2020, as India’s fisheries sector was gearing up for a transformation through government-initiated reforms, the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to disrupt progress.
    • However, PM Modi turned this crisis into an opportunity by launching the Atmanirbhar Bharat package, specifically targeting the fisheries sector.
    • This initiative breathed new life into the sector, with a substantial allocation of ₹20,050 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), making it the largest-ever investment in Indian fisheries history.

    About PM Matsya Sampada Yojana

    Aim To catalyze the Blue Revolution in India’s fisheries sector.
    Investment Rs. 20,050 crores over five years (FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25) as part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat Package.
    Fish Production Increase fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonnes by 2024-25.
    Export Earnings Raise fisheries export earnings to Rs. 1,00,000 crore by 2024-25.
    Income Doubling Double the incomes of fishers and fish farmers.
    Post-Harvest Losses Reduce post-harvest losses from 20-25% to about 10%.
    Employment Generation Generate substantial employment opportunities in the fisheries sector.
    Aims and Objectives 1. Sustainable and equitable fisheries development.

    2. Increased productivity through diversification.

    3. Modernizing the value chain. 4. Income doubling.

    5. Boosting exports.

    6. Ensuring security for fisheries communities.

    7. Effective management.
    Implementation Components Central Sector Scheme and Centrally Sponsored Scheme with active state participation.
    Implementation Approach Structured framework and cluster-based approach for optimal outcomes

    Key Achievements of PMMSY

    • Broad Development Spectrum: PMMSY addressed critical gaps in the fisheries value chain, spanning fish production, productivity, quality, technology, post-harvest infrastructure, and marketing.
    • Strategic Priority Areas: The initiative strategically focused on various key areas, including marine fisheries, inland fisheries, fishermen’s welfare, infrastructure development, post-harvest management, cold water fisheries, ornamental fisheries, aquatic health management, and seaweed cultivation.
    • Empowering Youth: PMMSY encouraged young entrepreneurs to venture into fisheries, fostering technological innovation and youth engagement. Notable success stories include young women in Kashmir rearing cold water rainbow trout and aquapreneurs in Nellore becoming successful exporters of biofloc-cultivated shrimps.
    • Expanding to Non-Traditional Areas: The program expanded fisheries activities to non-traditional regions, converting saline wastelands into productive aquaculture zones in landlocked states like Haryana and Rajasthan.
    • Empowering Fisherwomen: PMMSY empowered fisherwomen to explore alternative livelihoods, such as ornamental fisheries, pearl culture, and seaweed cultivation. The establishment of the ₹127 crore Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu exemplifies this forward-looking approach.
    • Infrastructure and Research: The initiative supported the establishment of 900 fish feed plants, 755 hatcheries, and invested in research and genetic improvement of Indian White Shrimp, specific pathogen-free brood stock development, and domestication of tiger shrimp.

    Impact on India’s Fisheries Sector

    • Global Recognition: India has risen to become one of the world’s top three countries in fish and aquaculture production and stands as the largest shrimp exporter globally.
    • Investment Growth: The government’s commitment to the fisheries sector is evident, with recent announcements of ₹6,000 crore as a sub-scheme under PMMSY, totalling investments exceeding ₹38,500 crore over the past nine years.
    • Record Production and Exports: India achieved record fisheries production of 174 lakh tonnes in 2022-23, marking a significant increase. Shrimp production alone surged by 267% from 2013-14 to 2022-23, reaching 11.84 lakh tonnes. Seafood exports doubled from ₹30,213 crore in 2013-14 to ₹63,969 crore in 2022-23.

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  • Health Sector – UHC, National Health Policy, Family Planning, Health Insurance, etc.

    President launches Ayushman Bhav Campaign

    14 September 2023 | Schemes | Governance
    Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Ayushman Bhav Campaign

    Mains level: Read the attached story

    Central Idea

    • The President of India, Mrs. Murmu, virtually launched the Ayushman Bhav campaign and the Ayushman Bhava portal.

    Ayushman Bhav Campaign  

    • The Ayushman Bhav campaign aims to deliver healthcare services to the remotest corners of India, playing a pivotal role in achieving the campaign’s ambitious objectives.
    • It is designed to ensure that every individual receives essential health services, aligning with the overarching goals of Ayushman Bhav.
    • The campaign’s goals, include-
    1. Facilitating access to Ayushman cards
    2. Generating ABHA IDs
    3. Raising awareness about critical health schemes and disease conditions, such as non-communicable diseases, tuberculosis, and sickle cell disease.

    Three Components of Ayushman Bhav:

    • President highlighted the three integral components of Ayushman Bhav:
    1. Ayushman – Apke Dwar 3.0
    2. Ayushman Melas at Health and Wellness Centres (HWC) and Community Health Clinics (CHC)
    3. Ayushman Sabhas in every village and panchayat
    • These components are expected to accelerate the delivery of healthcare services at grassroots levels, contributing to the creation of a healthier nation.

    Back2Basics: Ayushman Bharat Scheme

    Launch Year 2018
    Objective Universal Health Coverage and Financial Protection
    Components 1. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)

    2. Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs)
    Target Beneficiaries Economically disadvantaged families, rural populations, vulnerable communities
    Coverage Health insurance for eligible families, covering various medical expenses
    Services Offered Comprehensive healthcare services, including preventive, promotive, and curative care
    Impact Improved health indicators, reduced financial burden on beneficiaries, enhanced healthcare infrastructure
    Vision To make healthcare a fundamental right for all Indian citizens

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  • Labour, Jobs and Employment – Harmonization of labour laws, gender gap, unemployment, etc.

    Progress track: Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana (ABRY)

    4 September 2023 | Schemes | Governance
    Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana

    Mains level: Not Much

    Central Idea

    • The Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana (ABRY) by the Central Government has outperformed its initial employment targets, proving its effectiveness in fostering job creation during the COVID-19 crisis.

    About Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana (ABRY)

    Launch Introduced in November 2020
    Purpose As part of Atmanirbhar Bharat Package 3.0 to boost post-Covid-19 employment
    Government’s Contribution Subsidy for provident fund contributions in EPFO-registered organizations
    Coverage Up to 1000 employees: Both employee (12%) and employer (12%) contributions for two years

    Over 1000 employees: Employee (12%) contribution for two years
    Subsidy Disbursement Subsidy credited upfront to Aadhaar-linked EPFO accounts (UAN) of new employees
    Eligibility Criteria Establishments adding new employees compared to September 2020 reference base
    Target Beneficiaries Employees with monthly wages under Rs. 15,000 joining EPFO-registered establishments

    Individuals reemployed on or after October 1, 2020, who left jobs between March 1 and September 30, 2020

     Achievements and Numbers

    • The scheme, open for registrations until March 31, 2022, targeted around 7.18 million employees across India.
    • By July 31, 2023, ABRY had already exceeded its target, enrolling over 7.58 million new employees.
    • Benefiting 1,52,380 establishments with 60,44,155 new employees, the scheme disbursed benefits totaling Rs. 9,669.87 Crore.

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  • Aadhaar Card Issues

    Exploring Haryana’s Parivar Pehchan Patra Scheme

    1 September 2023 | Schemes | Governance
    Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Parivar Pehchan Patra

    Mains level: Not Much

    parivar pehchan patra

    Central Idea

    • The Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP), introduced in 2020 and rolled out in September 2021 in Haryana, has evoked both attention and criticism.

    Parivar Pehchan Patra

    • The PPP assigns a unique 8-digit identity number to each family unit residing in Haryana.
    • Enrolment in the PPP is obligatory for accessing government services and social security schemes.
    • Families can register through Common Service Centers, SARAL Kendras, or registered PPP operators, with verified data collected based on self-declarations and strict procedures.

    Key Functions and Linkages

    • The PPP streamlines access to various public welfare programs, including subsidized rations, Old Age Samman Allowance, Divyang Pension, educational admissions, government exams, and more.
    • It gathers extensive data, encompassing family members’ details, Aadhaar numbers, demographics, educational and occupational information, immovable property ownership, and social status.

    Comparing PPP with Aadhaar

    • The scheme’s proponents note that PPP leverages Aadhaar’s digital framework but offers a more intricate delivery.
    • While Aadhaar focuses on unique identity information, PPP encompasses socio-economic data, validated through specific procedures.

    Opposition’s Concerns and Criticisms

    • A former CM highlighted data collection errors leading to people being denied subsidies and benefits.
    • A legislator raised multiple objections, alleging misuse of data for voter profiling, and criticized the depth of personal information required.
    • Concerns were raised about the need for Aadhaar details, caste, PAN card, bank account, and property information. It was asserted that social security doesn’t necessitate caste identification.
    • The criticism extended to the potential exploitation of caste-based and socio-economic data for electoral advantages.

    Conclusion

    • The Parivar Pehchan Patra scheme in Haryana aims to streamline government services and welfare delivery.
    • While the initiative offers benefits, concerns about data accuracy, privacy, and potential political manipulation necessitate careful scrutiny and public discourse.

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  • Minority Issues – SC, ST, Dalits, OBC, Reservations, etc.

    Scholarship Schemes for Religious Minorities: Reality Check

    28 August 2023 | Schemes | Governance
    Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Various schemes mentioned

    Mains level: Read the attached story

    minority minorities

    Central Idea

    • Education stands as a potent tool for nurturing socio-economic progress within a nation, especially for religious minorities.
    • However, recent years have witnessed discontinuation of key scholarship schemes, reduced funding, and a decline in beneficiaries, prompting concerns about the commitment to inclusive growth.

    Minority Educational Schemes: Overview

    • Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme: Initially covering classes 1 to 10, now limited to classes 9 and 10.
    • Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme: Supports class 11 and above students, with increased funding this fiscal year.
    • Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship Scheme: Aided professional and technical courses, underwent significant funding reduction.
    • Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF): Provided financial assistance for research scholars but discontinued in 2022.
    • Padho Pardesh: Discontinued interest subsidy scheme for higher education abroad.
    • Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship: Scholarship for meritorious girls discontinued.

    Policy Shift and Consequences

    • Change in Focus: Despite acknowledging the importance of education for religious minorities and inclusive growth, the government has discontinued two key educational schemes, narrowed the scope of another, and reduced expenditure on multiple programs by the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
    • Beneficiary Drop: Between 2019 and 2022, the number of beneficiaries under six educational schemes for religious minorities decreased by 7%, while government spending on these programs declined by around 12.5%.
    • Budget Cuts: The Ministry of Minority Affairs faced a budgetary reduction of 38.3% for the fiscal year 2023-24, from Rs 5,020.5 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 3,097 crore. Additionally, a significant portion of funds allocated in the previous year went unutilized.

    Importance of Strengthening Educational Aid

    • Diverse Religious Minorities: India encompasses over 30 crore people from religious minority communities, including Muslims (14.2%), Christians (2.3%), Sikhs (1.7%), Buddhists (0.7%), Jains (0.4%), and Zoroastrians.
    • Challenges Faced by Muslims: Muslims, the largest religious minority, confront challenges in areas like economics, health, and education. Their participation in formal employment remains low, with many working in the informal sector under poor conditions.
    • Sachar Committee Report: The Sachar Committee highlighted the deprivation and neglect faced by Muslims across various development dimensions, underscoring the need for affirmative action.
    • Formation of Ministry of Minority Affairs: Responding to these challenges, the UPA government established this Ministry in 2006 to ensure focused attention on the issues affecting minority communities.

    Challenges and Impact

    • Reduction in beneficiaries and funding has impacted the implementation of schemes, resulting in a widening gap in education and economic parameters.
    • Poor coverage of beneficiaries and unchanged low unit costs remain hurdles in scheme implementation.
    • Muslim students’ enrolment in higher education is lagging behind other communities, worsening the existing disparities.

    Way Forward

    • Strengthen educational aid through enhancing scholarships, such as pre-matric, post-matric, merit-cum-means, and national overseas scholarships.
    • Implement targeted schemes based on the 15-Point Programme to address development gaps in minority-concentrated localities.
    • Make scholarships demand-driven and provide additional financial resources to improve unit costs.
    • Increase the total budget allocation for the Ministry of Minority Affairs to address the deprivation in educational attainment for minorities.

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  • Rural Infrastructure Schemes

    Empowering Artisans: PM Vishwakarma Scheme  

    17 August 2023 | Schemes | Governance
    Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: PM Vishwakarma Scheme

    Mains level: Read the attached story

    vishwakarma

    Central Idea

    • The Union Cabinet has given its nod to the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at uplifting artisans and craftsmen in India.

    What is PM Vishwakarma Scheme?

    • Supporting Artisans: It will be a Central Sector Scheme with twofold objective: to nurture the Guru-Shishya Parampara:
    1. Age-old tradition of imparting skills within families, and
    2. To uplift artisans and craftsmen engaged in manual trades.
    • Coverage: This comprehensive scheme encompasses 18 traditional trades in its initial phase, including blacksmiths, carpenters, potters, goldsmiths, tailors, and more, who form the bedrock of rural economies.

    Key Highlights of Scheme

    • Financial Provision: The scheme is fortified by a budgetary outlay of ₹13,000 crore, ensuring robust financial support to artisans and craftsmen.
    • Recognition and ID: Artisans and craftspeople will receive recognition through the prestigious PM Vishwakarma certificate and an official ID card, validating their skills and contributions.
    • Credit Support: The scheme provides access to credit support, offering up to ₹1 lakh in the first tranche and ₹2 lakh in the second tranche, with an advantageous interest rate of 5%.
    • Skill Upgradation: To enhance expertise, the scheme includes skill upgradation programs encompassing both basic and advanced training. Participants will receive a stipend of ₹500 per day during training.
    • Modern Tools and Incentives: Beneficiaries will be granted up to ₹15,000 to acquire modern tools, further improving the quality and efficiency of their work.
    • Digital Transactions and Marketing: Embracing modern practices, the scheme encourages digital transactions and marketing support, linking artisans with broader markets.

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  • Electric and Hybrid Cars – FAME, National Electric Mobility Mission, etc.

    PM E-Bus Seva Scheme: 10,000 Electric Buses to Transform Urban Mobility

    17 August 2023 | Schemes | Economics
    Mains Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: E-Bus Seva Scheme

    Mains level: Read the attached story

    e-bus

    Central Idea

    • The Union Cabinet’s recent approval of the PM e-bus Seva scheme marks a significant step towards enhancing urban mobility and promoting green transportation across India.

    PM E-Bus Seva: Scheme Overview

    • E-Bus Definition: The scheme’s core revolves around e-buses, which are buses powered solely by zero-emissions electricity sources for both propulsion and accessory systems.
    • Scope and Cost: The PM e-bus Sewa scheme is estimated to cost ₹57,613 crore, with the Central government contributing ₹20,000 crore.
    • Operational Support: The scheme is designed to provide operational support to bus services for a period of 10 years.

    Implementation Strategy

    • Two Segments: The scheme will be executed in two distinct segments:
      1. 10,000 E-Buses: In 169 cities, 10,000 e-buses will be introduced through a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
      2. Infrastructure Upgrades: In 181 other cities, green urban mobility initiatives will focus on improving infrastructure, bus priority, charging infrastructure, multimodal interchange facilities, and automated fare collection systems.
    • Depot Infrastructure: For the first segment, the development and enhancement of depot infrastructure, including power substations, will be undertaken to support the new e-buses.
    • Job Creation: The scheme is expected to generate around 45,000 to 55,000 direct jobs, contributing to employment growth.

    Coverage and Funding

    • Coverage: Cities with populations of three lakh and above, Union Territory capitals, as well as northeastern and hill states, are included in the scheme’s ambit.
    • Funding Model: States or cities will manage bus services and payments to bus operators, with the Central government providing subsidies as outlined in the scheme. This approach promotes decentralized management.

    Positive Impacts

    • Environmental Benefits: The adoption of electric buses will significantly reduce noise and air pollution, contributing to cleaner and healthier urban environments.
    • Carbon Emission Reduction: Electric mobility aligns with India’s commitment to curb carbon emissions and combat climate change.
    • Economies of Scale: Aggregating electric bus procurement is expected to achieve economies of scale, making electric buses more financially viable and encouraging their adoption.

    Conclusion

    • The PM e-bus Sewa scheme signifies India’s ambitious stride towards sustainable and eco-friendly urban mobility.
    • It also highlights the government’s commitment to job creation, as well as its determination to transform the transportation sector into a cleaner, greener, and more efficient mode of commuting.

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  • Food Procurement and Distribution – PDS & NFSA, Shanta Kumar Committee, FCI restructuring, Buffer stock, etc.

    Annapurna Food Packet Scheme in Rajasthan

    16 August 2023 | Schemes | Governance
    Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Annapurna Food Packet Scheme

    Mains level: Not Much

    Central Idea

    • Rajasthan’s government launched the Annapurna food packet scheme as part of its welfare initiatives, aiming to support 1.10 crore people, especially those hit hard by the pandemic.

    Annapurna Food Packet Scheme

    • The scheme primarily benefits families identified through the National Food Security Act (NFSA) survey, encompassing poor and destitute families.
    • It also extends beyond NFSA beneficiaries to encompass families that received ₹5,500 pandemic assistance, totalling around 1.05 crore beneficiaries.

    Benefits and Contents

    • Monthly Distribution: Eligible beneficiaries can collect Annapurna food packets monthly from fair price shops (FPS) at no cost.
    • Content Details: Each packet contains essential items – 1 kg gram pulses, sugar, and iodized salt, 1 litre soybean refined edible oil, 100 grams each of chilli powder and coriander powder, and 50 grams of turmeric powder.
    • Commission to FPS: FPS will receive a ₹10 commission per packet distributed, incentivizing their participation.

    Back2Basics: National Food Security Act (NFSA)

    • The NFS Act was enacted on 12th September 2013, with retrospective effect from 5th July 2013.
    • It integrates legal entitlements for prevailing food security initiatives of the GoI, encompassing the Midday Meal Scheme, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and the Public Distribution System (PDS).
    • The NFSA enshrines a legal right for individuals belonging to “eligible households” to acquire food grains at subsidized rates.

    Features

    • Recognizing Maternity: The NFS Act acknowledges the importance of maternal health by incorporating maternity entitlements within its provisions.
    • Coverage Spectrum: While the Midday Meal Scheme and ICDS are accessible to all, the PDS caters to about two-thirds of the population (75% in rural areas and 50% in urban areas).
    • Special Benefits: Pregnant women, lactating mothers, and specific categories of children enjoy the privilege of daily free cereals, enhancing their nutritional security.
    • Subsidized Rates: The act establishes central issue prices (CIPs) for food grains, offering rice at Rs 3/kg, wheat at Rs 2/kg, and coarse grains at Rs 1/kg through the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).

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  • Higher Education – RUSA, NIRF, HEFA, etc.

    Many states refrain to implement PM-USHA Scheme

    14 August 2023 | Schemes | Governance
    Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: PM-USHA Scheme

    Mains level: Not Much

    Central Idea

    • States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal have not signed the required MoU for implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) under the PM-USHA scheme.
    • Concerns revolve around budget allocation and the absence of specific funds for NEP reforms.

    PM-USHA Scheme

    • The Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) was introduced as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme to financially support institutions in States/UTs.
    • Its aim was to enhance access, equity, and excellence in higher education with improved efficiency, transparency, accountability, and responsiveness.
    • The initial phase of the scheme commenced in 2013, followed by the second phase in 2018.
    • In alignment with the National Education Policy, the RUSA initiative has been revamped as the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA).

    Challenges and Concerns

    • Lack of Additional Funds: The MoU requires states to undertake NEP-related administrative, academic, accreditation, and governance reforms. States are concerned that there are no extra funds designated specifically for NEP reforms within the scheme.
    • 40% State Contribution: States have to bear 40% of the expenses under the PM-USHA scheme, leading to further apprehensions about their ability to fund NEP initiatives.
    • Incomplete Alignment: The MoU doesn’t explicitly address the financial needs for implementing NEP changes, leading to dissatisfaction among some state governments.

    Government Response and Flexibility

    • Consultations and Integration: The University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman emphasizes the integration between NEP and PM-USHA through the MoU, which necessitates alignment with NEP principles.
    • Streamlined Approach: The PM-USHA scheme consolidates various components and offers states more flexibility in focusing on felt needs.
    • Focus on Prioritized Districts: States can identify priority districts based on enrollment ratios, gender parity, and demographic proportions, ensuring tailored educational interventions.

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  • Digital India Initiatives

    Cabinet approves ₹1.39 lakh crore for BharatNet project

    7 August 2023 | Prelims OnlySchemes | Governance
    Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: BharatNet Project

    Mains level: Not Much

    bharatnet

    Central Idea

    • The Cabinet has given its approval for an outlay of ₹1.39 lakh crore for the BharatNet project, aimed at providing last-mile connectivity to around 6.4 lakh villages across India.

    About BharatNet Project

    • Objectives: The project aims to connect 6.4 lakh villages, covering all gram panchayats in the country, with last-mile broadband connectivity through optical fiber.
    • Implementation: Bharat Broadband Network (BBNL), a special purpose vehicle under Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), is responsible for executing the project.
    • Tie-up with VLEs: BBNL will collaborate with village level entrepreneurs (VLEs) to provide connectivity, following a successful pilot project in four districts and later expanded to 60,000 villages.
    • Progress So Far: As of now, around 1.94 lakh villages have been connected, and the rest are expected to be covered in the next 2.5 years.

    Services details

    BharatNet is the world’s largest rural connectivity scheme with an Optical Fibre network.

    1. Gram Panchayat: The scheme aimed to provide 100 Mbps broadband to 2.5 lakh gram panchayats.
    2. Households: The main goal is affordable 2 Mbps to 20 Mbps broadband for all households, especially in rural areas.

    Key Achievements of the Project

    • Broadband Connections: The pilot project involved 3,800 entrepreneurs providing 3.51 lakh broadband connections to villages.
    • Data Consumption: Households in connected villages recorded an average data consumption of 175 gigabytes per month.
    • Pricing and Speed: The project is based on a 50% revenue share between BBNL and VLEs, offering monthly broadband plans priced from ₹399 to ₹799 with a minimum speed of 30mbps.
    • Optical Fiber Laid: Currently, there are 37 lakh route kilometers (rkm) of optical fiber cable (OFC) laid in India, with BBNL contributing 7.7 lakh rkm OFC to the network.

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