‘Digital Bharat Nidhi’ rules under the new Telecommunications Act, 2023 were made available to the public by gazette notification on 30.08.2024. Further, press notification and social media publicity was also done for widespread dissemination amongst stakeholders and citizens.

These rules propose to provide telecommunication equipment and services, including mobile and broadband services, in underserved rural, remote and urban areas and also provide targeted access to telecommunication services for underserved groups of the society such as women, persons with disabilities and economically and socially weaker sections. DBN covers various schemes and projects including BharatNet, 4G Saturation Project, Provision of Mobile Service in uncovered areas of Aspirational Districts, Mobile Services in Left Wing Extremist Areas, Mobile Services in Himalayan and Border areas, Mobile Services in Islands, Mobile Services in North Eastern Areas, Mobile Services in Meghalaya, Mobile Services in Arunachal Pradesh and 2 Districts of Assam, Submarine Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) connectivity between Chennai to A&N Islands, Submarine OFC connectivity between Kochi to Lakshadweep Islands. 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Communications, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

****

SB/DP/ARJ

(Release ID: 2077892) Visitor Counter : 449