Digital Bharat Nidhi (erstwhile USOF) was established under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act, 2003 w.e.f. 01.04.2002. As per ‘The Telecommunications Act, 2023’ the Universal Service Obligation Fund, has become the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN). The DBN has mandate to support universal service through promoting access and delivery of telecommunication service in underserved rural, remote and urban areas. The balance to the credit of DBN does not lapse at the end of the financial year. As on 31.03.2024, total of Rs. 1,62,871.64 Crore has been collected as Universal Access Levy under DBN.

As on 30.09.2024, an amount of Rs. 83,726 crore allocated by Ministry of Finance for the various Schemes of Digital Bharat Nidhi has been fully utilized. The State-wise details of funds disbursed/ utilized for different Schemes of DBN is available at the DBN’s website (https://usof.gov.in).

In order to achieve objectives of DBN, it 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 District of Assam etc.

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.

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SB/DP/ARJ

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