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.
“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,” a DoT official said.
Clarifying the reports, CSC also said that the organisation has not made any proposal to buy any stake in BBNL.
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