Over Rs 40,000 crore collected through Universal Access Levy collection in last five years : MoS Telecom

According to the date of disbursement shared by the minister, 53 per cent of the fund was disbursed for BharatNet project and 47 per cent for other USOF Schemes including installation of mobile towers, WiFi , submarine cable etc.

New Delhi: The government has collected Rs 41,740 crore as Universal Access Levy under Universal Service Obligation Fund in the last five years, Parliament was informed on Friday. Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan said Rs 30,213 crore has been disbursed from USOF during the last five years.

"During 2017-18 to 2021-22 (last five years) Rs. 41,740 crore, has been collected as Universal Access Levy (UAL) under Universal Service Obligation Fund out of which Rs. 30,213 crore has been disbursed from USOF during the said period," the minister said.

According to the date of disbursement shared by the minister, 53 per cent of the fund was disbursed for BharatNet project and 47 per cent for other USOF Schemes including installation of mobile towers, WiFi , submarine cable etc.

"Under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF), 5% of the annual collection under Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) is to be provided for Research and Development of technology, product and service for the purpose of providing affordable telegraph service in rural and remote areas," Chauhan said. (PTI)