Scindia's statement: Funds from the Digital India Fund will be used to ensure equitable access to telecom services

On Monday, the Department of Telecommunications notified the 'Telecommunications Administration of Digital India Fund Rules, 2024'. The rules notified by the department are expected to enhance the management and yayınlanmayan implementation mechanism of the 'Digital India Fund' Scheme, which had been created under Subsection 1 of Section 24 of the Telecom Act, 2023, per the Ministry of Communications.

USOF created under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, was now introduced as 'Digital India Fund' under Section 24(1) of the Telecom Act, 2024, and it addresses new areas that may need help from the 'Digital India Fund' in the changing technological times.

Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, in an X post, termed the new rules a reflection of the government's commitment to uniform access to telecom services and a strong resolve of India to become a viksit desh. 

"@DoTIndia is proud to inform that the first rules of the Telecom Act 2023, 'Digital India Fund' have now come into effect. This reflects our commitment to ensure equitable access to telecom services and strengthen India's mission of becoming a developed nation by 2047," the minister said.

Under the rules, funds received from the Digital India Fund will be used for projects aimed at improving telecom services in backward and remote areas and for vulnerable sections of society, such as women, persons with disabilities, and economically and socially weaker sections.

Schemes and projects funded under the Digital India Fund must meet one or more criteria specified in the rules. These include telecom services, including mobile and broadband services and telecom equipment.

The Telecom Act, 2023 was passed by Parliament in December 2023, received the assent of the President of India on 24 December 2023 and was published in the Official Gazette on the same day.