Govt. notifies Telecommunications (Administration of Digital Bharat Nidhi) Rules, 2024

On 30-8-2024, the Ministry of Communication notified Telecommunications (Administration of Digital Bharat Nidhi) Rules, 2024 to provision telecommunication services. The provisions came into force on 30-8-2024.

Key Points:

1. Powers and Functions of Administrator:

   • Select Implementors through bidding process or through inviting applications;

   • Formulate the procedure of bidding;

   • Formulate the procedure for inviting;

   • Enter into agreements with Implementors;

   • Settle claims and disburse funds from Digital Bharat Nidhi to Implementors;

   • Settle disputes with Implementors;

   • Monitor, evaluate or verify the work done by Implementers;

   • Undertake pilot study, pursuant to achieving the objectives of the Digital Bharat Nidhi;

   • Create a digital portal to enable Implementers and other stakeholders to provide services, facilitate interaction, reporting and monitoring of schemes and projects.

2. Funding from Digital Bharat Nidhi:

   • Funds will be provided to implement schemes and projects;

   • Funds, in terms of a percentage of annual collection will be utilized for achieving the objectives;

   • Funding modalities will be determined by the Administrator case-to-case, including full/ partial/co-funding/market risk mitigation/risk capital.

   • Schemes targeted for underserved group, women/ persons with disabilities / economically and socially weaker sections of society will also be funded.

3. The criteria for undertaking schemes and projects under Digital Bharat Nidhi, should provide one or more criteria:

   • To provision telecommunication services;

   • To create telecommunication network;

   • To introduce next generation telecommunication technologies;

   • To provide or improve access to advanced telecommunication services;

   • To improve affordability of telecommunication services;

   • To promote innovation, research and development, promotion and commercialization of indigenous technology development and associated intellectual property including creation of regulatory sandboxes;

   • To encourage start- ups in telecommunications sector;

   • To create bridge between the academia, research institutes, start-ups and industry for capacity building and development of telecom ecosystem;

   • To create new technological solutions and deploy new technologies;

   • To promote sustainable and green technologies in the telecommunications sector.