The home ministry has reportedly conveyed to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) that mobile phone towers Naxalism-hit areas should remain active. Previously, a series of meetings were held on the matter.
To this end, a letter has been sent to Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) conveying the decision of the home ministry to extend the operation of all these sites. USOF is the pool of funds generated by charging all telecom companies on their adjusted gross revenue (AGR).
This fund, which is handled by the DoT, is used for providing funds for telecom connectivity in rural and such areas which are not commercially beneficial for telecom operators.
Over 2,200 telecom towers were installed in Chhattishgarh and nine other Naxalism-affected states that form the ‘Red Corridor’ to ensure communication facility for security forces as well as state police agencies.
The towers, which were funded by USOF for five years, could be extended by another two years under an ongoing tender of BSNL.
However, the DoT hasn’t yet taken any decision regarding such an extension. BSNL is believed to have been following up on it with USOF for almost 20 months regarding this.
