CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -BSNL gets Rs 770 crore from BBNL to clear BharatNet vendor dues - The Economic Times.

Detailed explanation-2: -Agreement was signed in April 2020 between Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) and M/s Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL). USOF funded the Capital Expenditure incurred by BSNL for the work allotted under the project as per the tender discovered rates of Rs 36.3856 Crores in the form of subsidy.

Detailed explanation-3: -BharatNet Scheme has been launched by the government of India under the Digital India program in order to provide high-speed digital connectivity of the internet in rural areas at a very affordable price. This high-speed digital connectivity will be provided through optical Fibre.

Detailed explanation-4: -In April 2022, it was announced that India’s flagship rural broadband project: Bharat Broadband Network Ltd (BBNL), the special purpose vehicle set up to implement BharatNet would merge with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), the national telecom service provider.

Detailed explanation-5: -The Bharat Net project proposes broadband connectivity to households under village Panchayats and even to government institutions at the district level. It intends to cover all 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats for the provision of E-governance, E-healthcare, E-Commerce, E-Education, and Public Interest Access services.