Ministry of Communication

The Department of Telecommunication has launched an ambitious program to provide network infrastructure, offering affordable broadband connectivity to all households in the country on a non-discriminatory basis. The initiative aligns with the vision of Digital India and involves collaboration with States and the Private Sector. Originally named the National Optical Fibre Network, the program received approval in October 2011.

Implementation occurs in three phases:

First phase – providing broadband connectivity to one lakh gram panchayats by 2017.
Second Phase – providing broadband connectivity to 2 lakh gram panchayats by 2019.
Third Phase – providing state-of-art network using fibers between districts and block with reduced redundancy by 2023.

States, state agencies, private sector companies, and central PSUs share implementation responsibilities. States, state agencies, private sector companies, and central PSUs all share implementation responsibilities. They grant non-discriminatory access to the National Optic Fibre Network (NOFN) to all service providers, including Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), ISPs, and Cable TV operators, enabling them to offer various services in rural areas. The Universal Service Obligation Fund serves as the nodal agency for funding the program. Bharat Broadband Network, established as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under the Companies Act, is mandated with creating the NOFN infrastructure in India.

Universal Service Obligation Fund

The fund, which started in 2002, aims to help spread telegraph services nationwide, particularly in rural and remote areas. It generates revenue by imposing a 5% Universal Service Levy (USL) on telecom operators gross earnings. Enterprises responsible for expanding telecommunication services receive funds through a competitive bidding system.

Sparse population
Remoteness of area
Absence of supporting infrastructure (power, road etc.)
Low income of inhabitants
Insurgency
Difficult terrain
The USOF Administration intervenes to offer subsidy support, encouraging telecom service providers to extend their services to target beneficiaries.

Sampoorna Bima Gram Yojana

The objective is to offer affordable life insurance services to rural communities.
Under this initiative, at least one village per district, with a minimum of 100 households, will be selected.
Each household in the identified village will be provided with at least one Rural Postal Life Insurance policy.
Ensuring coverage for all households in the chosen village is the main goal of the scheme.
The program will encompass all villages participating in the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana.

Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana

Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude & Research in Stamps as a Hobby (SPARSH) is a nationwide scholarship program open to students in Standard VI to IX.
Eligibility criteria include a strong academic record and an active pursuit of Philately as a hobby.
The selection process involves evaluating participants based on their project work related to Philately and their performance in the Philately Quiz conducted by the Circles.
The scholarship aims to encourage and support students who have a passion for Philately, fostering both academic excellence and an interest in stamp collection.

DARPAN

DARPAN (Digital Advancement of Rural Post Office for A New India) aims to achieve financial inclusion for the unbanked rural population.
The project seeks to expand the rural presence of the Department of Posts, facilitating Branch Post Offices in handling various financial services such as remittances, savings accounts, Rural Postal Life Insurance, and Cash Certificates.
DARPAN will implement low-power technology solutions for each branch postmaster, enhancing service delivery in rural areas.
Additionally, the application will streamline the process of reimbursing social security benefits like MNREGS, old age pension, and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Sanchar Kaushal Vikas Pratisthan

A skill development scheme aims to train rural youth in maintaining mobile towers, repairing optical fibers, and fixing various communication technologies across India.
The Department of Telecommunication will conduct training through skill training centers to enhance the manpower in the telecom sector.
Initially, the scheme will be rolled out in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Punjab, and Haryana.
The skill training program will adhere to the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF).

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