Question : National Broadband Mission in Rajasthan

(a) the salient features of the National Broadband Mission launched recently by the Government across the country;

(b) the details of the estimated amount to be allocated by the Government in this regard, State-wise, including Rajasthan;

(c) the number of districts in Rajasthan likely to be included under this mission;

(d) whether the Government has considered fast track connectivity in the villages under the mission and if so, the details thereof, including Dausa district of Rajasthan; and

(e) the details of the target set under this mission?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS,
HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

(a) National Broadband Mission(NBM) was launched on 17th December 2019 with a vision to fast track growth of digital communications infrastructure, bridge the digital divide, facilitate digital empowerment and inclusion, and provide affordable and universal access of broadband for all. Some of the objectives of the Mission which is structured with strong emphasis on the three principles of universality, affordability and quality are:
• Broadband access to all villages by 2022;
• Laying of incremental 30 lakhs route km of Optical Fiber Cable and increase in tower density from 0.42 to 1.0 tower per thousand of population by 2024;
• Develop a Broadband Readiness Index (BRI) to measure the availability of digital communications infrastructure and conducive policy ecosystem within a State/UT.

(b) The allocation by the Government under the Mission through Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) is envisaged to be around Rs 70,000 crore which will cover all the States.

(c) to (d) National Broadband Mission includes all the villages of the country which inter-alia includes all villages and districts of Rajasthan.

(e) The Mission targets to provide broadband access to all villages to have by 2022.

************