Insta
BBNL To Be Merged With BSNL, State-Run Telco To Gain Access To Rs 60,000 Crore Funds: Report
Swarajya Staff
Jan 09, 2022, 04:20 PM | Updated 04:20 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
The central government is set to merge the operations and assets of the Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) with the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) before completing the ongoing financial year, Indian Express reports.
This proposal will be tabled before the Union Cabinet soon, and a cabinet note on the same is being prepared currently.
BBNL falls under the ambit of the Communications Ministry and is currently in charge of implementing the BharatNet project, which targets connecting the six lakh villages across the country with high-speed internet.
As a result of the proposed merger, BSNL will be forming a new division to look after the concerned works of the initiative above.
None of the concerned stakeholders confirmed this rumoured development when they were contacted regarding the same by Indian Express.
Another fallout of this merger will be that BSNL will possibly gain access to funds worth Rs 60,000 crore of the BBNL that the latter obtains from the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
The USOF is created from the Universal Access Levy (UAL) that mandates telecom service providers to contribute a certain percentage of their funds to the USOF funds.
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.