The government's ambitious direct benefit transfers (DBT) portal, which will be a platform for administrators to access data on Central and states'welfare schemes and provide real-time feedback and updates on work done, may be launched on August 1. The move is part of ramping up the DBT mission. About six states, including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Jharkhand, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, have also opened the DBT cells. In addition, all seven union territories as well as some 70 central government departments have opened up these cells as well. In March, the Cabinet Secretariat had issued a circular which increased the scope and reach of DBT to include all government welfare schemes, which have a subsidy component in them, be it cash or kind. From just directly transferring Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Gurantee Scheme wages and cooking gas, kerosene and foodgrain subsidies to beneficiaries, the DBT mission has expanded to include old-age pension schemes, the Krishi Vikas Yojana, scholarships, health schemes, sanitation schemes, as well as education schemes.