USOF SCHEME FOR ASPIRATIONAL DISTRICTS IN 5 STATES
Approved on: – On 17th November 2021, The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for provisioning of mobile services in Uncovered Villages of Aspirational Districts across five States of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra & Odisha.
Ministry involved: –
- The scheme will be run by the fund provided through the Universal service obligation fund (USOF) which is under the ministry of communications.
- Minister of communication- Ashwini Vaishnav (M.P. Rajyasabha from Odisha)
Objective: –
·        To provide 4G based mobile services in the 7,287 uncovered villages of 44 Aspirational Districts across five States of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra & Odisha.
·        To increase digital connectivity useful for self-reliance, facilitate learning, dissemination of information and knowledge, skill upgradation and development, disaster management, e-Governance initiatives, the establishment of enterprises & e-commerce facilities, etc.
Target Group: –
·        The main focus of the scheme is on the people from the rural parts of the five states and also the youth seeking jobs opportunities in rural areas
Corpus: –
An estimated cost of implementation is about Rs 6,466 crore including operational expenses for 5 years.
Benefits:-
Fulfills the vision of digital India and enhance digital connectivity
Supports adequate support to educational institutions.
Increases the availability of job opportunities.
Promotes domestic manufacturing.
- The project would be funded by Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
- The project will be completed within 18 months after the signing of the Agreement and likely to be completed by November 23.
- The work-related to provision of 4G mobile services in identified uncovered villages will be awarded through open competitive bidding process as per extant USOF procedures.
ABOUT Universal Service Obligation fund (USOF)
·        The plan behind the fund is to provide universal access to telecom services to rural and remote areas at affordable and reasonable prices.
·        The universal service levy is collected from service providers at a defined percentage of adjusted gross Revenue as component of license fee.
