New Delhi, NFAPost: As part of fueling digitisation campaign in the country, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s Common Service Centre (CSC) is all set to work in close coordination with DoT’s Bharatnet custodian BBNL in connecting rural India with broadband networks.
Earlier this year, BBNL Chairman Sarvesh Singh had written to the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) claiming that CSC had violated terms of a three-way agreement by shifting equipment used for last mile connectivity without informing the former. This would create an obstacle in providing non-discriminatory access to all telecom and internet service providers.
“Common Service Centre (CSC) , which has a network of around 4 lakh VLEs (village level entrepreneurs`) mainly serving rural India, has been providing various government services to the masses and maintenance of BharatNet rural broadband is one of them. We are working in close coordination with Bharatnet custodian BBNL in connecting rural India with a robust broadband network,” CSC said in a statement.
Responding to reports, Common Service Centre also said that the organisation has not made any proposal to buy any stake in BBNL.
“We have not submitted any proposal to the central Government to buy stake in BBNL. Common Service Centre (CSC) has not submitted any proposal either to the Ministry of Telecom or the PMO as mentioned in a certain quarters for purchase of stake in the BBNL,” said CSS said in a statement.
Commenting on the development, DoT official said BBNL was of the view that the CSCs’ habit of leaving the VLE (village level entrepreneur) completely independent and free is not possible in the case of government assets.
“If and when an auditing of the equipment is done, BBNL will be held responsible if any equipment or machinery is missing,” said DoT official.
Spreading the vision of Digital India to every nook and corner of the country, the Department of Food and Public Distribution under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has entered into a model MoU with CSC e-Governance Services India Limited recently.
The move aims to increase the business opportunities and income of Fair Price Shops by way of delivery of Common Services Centre or CSC services through interested Fair Price Shop dealers.
The CSS are an integral part of the Digital India Programme. CSCs are the access points for the delivery of essential public utility services which aims to serve the citizens in rural and remote areas of the country. CSCs offer assisted access to e-services to citizens with a focus on enhancing governance.
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