Home India Ministry of Communications In exercise of the powers conferred by section 7 of the Indi...
Date: 2021-01-14 Category: Extra Ordinary State: Union Government Country: India

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 7 of the Indian Telegraph Act

Issued by Ministry of Communications · Department of Telecommunications

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Executive Summary & Key Takeaways

## Policy Analysis Report: Indian Telegraph Amendment Rules, 2021 **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes the Indian Telegraph Amendment Rules, 2021, as detailed in the provided official notification. This amendment modifies the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951, to include provisions for funding capital expenditure related to bandwidth augmentation projects in the Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep through the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). The key finding is that this amendment aims to improve telecommunications infrastructure in these remote regions by providing financial support for crucial bandwidth upgrades. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide an informative overview and analysis of the Indian Telegraph Amendment Rules, 2021, based solely on the text of the provided government notification. This report aims to elucidate the changes introduced by this amendment, its likely rationale, and potential impact on stakeholders within the telecommunications industry. **3. Policy Overview:** This document constitutes an amendment to the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951. The core objective of this amendment, as inferred from the provided text, is to enhance telecommunications infrastructure and connectivity in the Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. This is achieved by enabling the allocation of funds from the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) for specific bandwidth augmentation projects implemented by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). **4. Background and Rationale:** This amendment appears to address the need for improved telecommunications infrastructure in the Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. The existing infrastructure seemingly requires augmentation to meet the growing demands of these regions, as indicated by the specific references to "Comprehensive Telecom Development Plans" for each territory. The amendment facilitates this by providing a dedicated funding mechanism via the USOF, presumably due to the economic or logistical challenges of achieving these upgrades through conventional means. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This amendment introduces two key changes to the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951, specifically within rule 525, sub-rule 2, clause v: * **Addition of Item "l":** This item stipulates that the Capital Expenditure incurred by BSNL for augmenting satellite bandwidth from 2 Gbps to 4 Gbps for the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as per the Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan, shall be funded by the USOF. * **Addition of Item "m":** This item stipulates that the Capital Expenditure incurred by BSNL for augmenting satellite bandwidth from 318 Mbps to 1.71 Gbps utilizing GSAT11 and 19 capacities for the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, as per the Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan, shall be funded by the USOF. Furthermore, rule 526 is amended to include "l and m" to the list of items in clause v that are being referred to. These changes specifically expand the scope of USOF funding to include the stated bandwidth augmentation projects in these two Union Territories. The *difference* this amendment makes is that it now explicitly allows for the use of USOF funds for these specific projects, making these projects financially viable for BSNL to undertake. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary stakeholders directly affected by these amendments are: * **Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL):** As the implementing agency for these bandwidth augmentation projects, BSNL benefits from access to USOF funding. * **Residents and businesses in the Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep:** These communities stand to benefit from improved telecommunications connectivity. * **Department of Telecommunications (DoT):** As the department responsible for overseeing the USOF, DoT will be involved in the implementation and monitoring of these projects. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Department of Telecommunications (through the USOF) is the key governing body. BSNL is the implementing agency. * **Timelines/Procedures:** While the amendment itself doesn't specify explicit timelines or procedures, it references "Comprehensive Telecom Development Plans" which likely outline project timelines and implementation details. The amendment also implies that standard USOF funding procedures will apply. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The intended outcome of these amendments is improved telecommunications connectivity in the Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. The specific bandwidth upgrades are likely to lead to: * Enhanced internet speeds and reliability for residents and businesses. * Improved access to online services, including education, healthcare, and e-governance. * Support for economic development and tourism in these regions. * More efficient and reliable communications infrastructure for disaster management and other critical services. **9. Conclusion:** The Indian Telegraph Amendment Rules, 2021, represent a targeted effort to address connectivity challenges in the Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. By enabling USOF funding for specific bandwidth augmentation projects undertaken by BSNL, this amendment aims to significantly improve telecommunications infrastructure and facilitate socio-economic development in these underserved regions. The amendment's significance lies in its direct contribution to bridging the digital divide and promoting inclusive growth.

Key Entities Referenced

Indian Telegraph Act, 1885: A law that empowers the Central Government to make rules regarding telegraph services in India. Central Government: The executive authority of the Union of India. Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951: The set of rules governing telegraph services in India, being amended by this notification. Indian Telegraph Amendment Rules, 2021: The new rules amending the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951. Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands: A Union Territory of India. Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands: A plan for the development of telecommunications infrastructure in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited BSNL: A telecommunications company in India. Universal Service Obligation Fund USOF: A fund in India used to provide financial support for the provision of telecom services in rural and remote areas. Union Territory of Lakshadweep: A Union Territory of India. Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for Union Territory of Lakshadweep: A plan for the development of telecommunications infrastructure in Lakshadweep. GSAT11: An Indian communication satellite. GSAT19: An Indian communication satellite. NAVNEET GUPTA: Jt. Secy. Department of Telecommunications: A department within the Ministry of Communications. Ministry of Communications: The Indian government ministry responsible for telecommunications and postal services. New Delhi: The capital of India.
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रजजस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 xxxGIDHxxx सी.जी.-डी.एलxx.x-GअI.D-E1x5x0x 12021-224423 CG-DL-E-15012021-224423 असाधारण EXTRAORDINARY भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (i) PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (i) प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY स.ं 20] नई ददल्ली, नहृ स्ट्प जतिार, जनिरी 14, 2021/पौष 24, 1942 No. 20] NEW DELHI, THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021/PAUSHA 24, 1942 सचं ार मत्रं ालय (दरू सचं ार जिभाग) अजधसचू ना नई ददल्ल ी, 12 जनिरी, 2021 सा.का.जन 22(अ).—केन्‍द रीय सरकार, भारतीय तार अजधजनयम, 1885 (1885 का 13) की धारा 7 द्वारा प्रदत्त िजतत यक का प्रय ग करते एए, भारतीय तार जनयमािली, 1951 क और संि जधत करने के जलए जनम् नजलजखत जनयम ननाती ह, अथाात्:- 1. (1) इन जनयमक क भारतीय तार (संि धन) जनयमािली, 2021 कहा जाए। (2) ये जनयम सरकारी राजपत्र में प्रकाजित ह ने की तारीख से लागू हकगे। 2. भारतीय तार जनयमािली, 1951 म,ें - (i) जनयम 525 के, उप-जनयम (2) के, खंड (v) में मद (ट) के नाद जनम्न जलजखत मदक क िाजमल दकया जाएगा अथाात्:- "(ठ) अडं मान एिं जनक नार द्वीपसमूह संघ राज्य ्ेत्र की ्‍ यापक दरू संचार य जना के अनासार अडं मान एिं जनक नार द्वीपसमूह संघ राज्य ्ेत्र के जलए उप्रहह नडड जि्थ क 2 जीनीपीएस से 4 जीनीपीएस तक 220 GI/2021 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)] नढाने के जलए भारत संचार जनगम जलजमटेड (नीएसएनएल) द्वारा दकए गए पूंजीगत ्‍ यय का जित् तप षण सािाभौजमक सेिा दाजयत् ि जनजध (यूएसएए)) द्वारा दकया जाएगा। (ड) ल्द्वीप सघं राज य् ्ेत्र की ्‍ यापक दरू संचार जिकास य जना के अनासार ल्द्वीप सघं राज्य ्ेत्र के जलए जीएसएटी-11 और 19 ्मताओं का उपय ग करते एए उप्रहह नडडजि्थ क 318 एमनीपीएस से 1.71 जीनीपीएस तक नढाने के जलए भारत संचार जनगम जलजमटेड (नीएसएनएल) द्वारा दकए गए पूंजीगत ्‍ यय का जित् तप षण सािाभौजमक सेिा दाजयत् ि जनजध (यूएसएए)) द्वारा दकया जाएगा।"; (ii) जनयम 526 म ें "खंड (v) के मदक (क), (ख), (ग), (घ), (ड.), (च), (छ), (ज), (झ), (ञ) एिं (ट)" के िब् दक, क ष्ठ कक और िणणों क "खंड (v) के मदक (क), (ख), (ग), (घ), (ड.), (च), (छ), (ज), (झ), (ञ), (ट), (ठ) और (ड)” के िब् दक, क ष्ठ कक और िणणों से प्रजतस्ट् थाजपत दकया जाएगा। [)ा. सं. 30-176-3/2015-नीनी-यूएसएए) (खडं .II)] निनीत गाप् ता, संयात त सजचि टटप्प णी: मूल जनयम डाक एिं तार जनयमािली खंड- I, जिधायी अजधजनयम, भाग-II, संस्ट्करण में प्रकाजित दकए गए थ े और तत्प श् चात य ेजनम्न जलजखत अजधसूचना संख् याओं के तहत संि जधत दकए गए – 1. सा.का.जन. 190, ददनांक 18 )रिरी, 1984; 20. सा.का.जन. 837 (ई), ददनांक 5 अतटूनर, 1987; 2. सा.का.जन. 386, ददनांक 22 मई, 1984; 21. सा.का.जन. 989 (ई), ददनांक 17 ददसंनर, 1987; 3 सा.का.जन. 387 (ई), ददनांक 22 मई, 1984; 22. सा.का.जन. 337 (ई), ददनांक 11 माच,ा 1988; 4 सा.का.जन. 679, ददनांक 30 जून, 1984; 23. सा.का.जन. 361 (ई), ददनाकं 21 माच,ा 1988; 5. सा.का.जन. 428, ददनांक 27 अप्रल , 1985; 24. सा.का.जन. 626 (ई), ददनांक 17 मई, 1988; 6. सा.का.जन. 729, ददनांक 03 अगस्ट्त, 1985; 25. सा.का.जन. 660 (ई), ददनांक 31 मई, 1988; 7. सा.का.जन. 982, ददनांक 19 अतटूनर, 1986; 26. सा.का.जन. 693 (ई), ददनांक 10 जून, 1988; 8. सा.का.जन. 553 (ई), 27 माच,ा 1986; 27. सा.का.जन. 734 (ई), ददनांक 24 जून, 1988; 9. सा.का.जन. 314, ददनांक 26 अप्रल ,1986; 28. सा.का.जन. 606, ददनांक 14 जालाई, 1988; 10 सा.का.जन. 566, ददनांक 26 जालाई, 1986; 29. सा.का.जन. 812 (ई), ददनांक 26 जालाई, 1988; 11. सा.का.जन. 953 (ई), ददनाकं 23 जला ाई, 1986 ; 30. सा.का.जन. 888 (ई), ददनांक 01 जसतंनर, 1988; 12. सा.का.जन. 1121 (ई), ददनांक 01 अतटूनर,1986; 31. सा.का.जन. 907 (ई), ददनाकं 07 जसतंनर, 1988; 13. सा.का.जन. 1167 (ई), ददनांक 28 अतटूनर, 1986; 32. सा.का.जन. 916 (ई), ददनांक 09 जसतंनर, 1988; 14. सा.का.जन. 1237 (ई), ददनांक 28 निंनर, 1986; 33. सा.का.जन. 1054, ददनांक 02 निंनर, 1988 ; 15. सा.का.जन. 49, ददनांक 17 जनिरी, 1987; 34. सा.का.जन. 179, ददनांक 18 माचा 1989; 16. सा.का.जन. 112 (ई), ददनांक 25 )रिरी, 1987; 35. सा.का.जन. 358 (ई) ददनांक 15 माच,ा 1989; 17. सा.का.जन. 377 (ई), ददनांक 09 अप्रल , 1987; 36. सा.का.जन. 622 (ई), ददनांक 15 जून, 1989; 18. सा.का.जन. 674 (ई), ददनांक 27 जला ाई, 1987; 37. सा.का.जन. 865, ददनांक 29 जसतंनर, 1989; 19. सा.का.जन. 719 (ई), ददनांक 18 अगस्ट्त, 1987; 38. सा.का.जन. 413 (ई), ददनांक 29 माच,ा 1990;[भाग II—खण् ड 3(i)] भारत का राजपत्र : असाधारण 3 39. सा.का.जन. 574 (ई), ददनाकं 15 जून, 1990; 58. सा.का.जन. 49 (ई), ददनांक 27 जनिरी, 2010; 40. सा.का.जन. 933 (ई), ददनांक 03 ददसंनर, 1990; 59 सा.का.जन.279 (ई), ददनांक 31 माच,ा 2010; 41. सा.का.जन. 985 (ई), ददनांक 20 ददसंनर, 1990; 60. सा.का.जन. 256 (ई), ददनांक 27 माच,ा 2012; 42 सा.का.जन. 74 (ई) ददनांक 18 जनिरी, 1991; 61 सा.का.जन. 412 (ई), ददनांक 29 मई, 2012; 43 सा.का.जन. 237 (ई), ददनांक 25 अप्र ल,1991; 62. सा.का.जन. 368 (ई), ददनांक 07 जून, 2013; 44 सा.का.जन. 251 (ई), ददनांक 02 मई 1991; 63. सा.का.जन. 506 (ई), ददनांक 24 जला ाई, 2013; 45. सा.का.जन. 543 (ई), ददनांक 21 मई, 1992; 64 सा.का.जन. 18 ददनांक 28 जनिरी, 2014; 46. सा.का.जन. 560 (ई), ददनांक 26 मई, 1992; 65. सा.का.जन. 912 (ई), ददनांक 23 ददसंनर, 2014; 47. सा.का.जन. 587 (ई), ददनांक 10 जून, 1992; 66. सा.का.जन. 653 (ई), ददनांक 25 अगस्ट्त, 2015; 48. सा.का.जन. 730 (ई), ददनांक 19 अगस्ट्त, 1992; 67. सा.का.जन. 241 ददनांक 10 ददसंनर, 2015; 49. सा.का.जन. 830 (ई), ददनांक 28 अतटूनर, 1992; 68. सा.का.जन. 297 (ई), ददनांक 28 माच,ा 2017; 50. सा.का.जन. 62 (ई), ददनाकं 11 )रिरी, 1993; 69 .सा.का.जन. 314 (ई), ददनांक 31 माच,ा 2017; 51. सा.का.जन. 80, ददनांक 06 )रिरी, 1993; 70. सा.का.जन. 406 (ई), ददनांक 20 अप्र ल, 2017; 52. सा.का.जन. 384 (ई), ददनांक 27 अप्र ल,1993; 71. सा.का.जन. 439 (ई), ददनांक 2 मई, 2017; 53. सा.का.जन. 387 (ई), ददनांक 28 अप्र ल, 1993; 72. सा.का.जन. 482 (ई), ददनांक 17 मई, 2017; 54. सा.का.जन. 220 (ई), 26 माचा, 2004; 73. सा.का.जन.507 (ई), ददनांक 22 मई, 2017; 55 सा.का.जन. 713 (ई), ददनांक 17 निंनर, 2006; 74. सा.का.जन. 540 (ई), ददनांक 31 मई, 2017; 56. सा.का.जन. 193 (ई), ददनांक 01 माच,ा 2007; 75. सा.का.जन. 1131(ई), ददनांक 05 जसतंनर, 2017; तथा 57. सा.का.जन. 547 (ई), ददनांक 18 जला ाई, 2008; 76. सा.का.जन. 129 (ई), ददनांक 06 )रिरी, 2020 MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS (Department of Telecommunications) NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 12th January, 2021 G.S.R. 22(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by section 7 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 (13 of 1885), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951, namely: - 1. (1) These rules may be called the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2021. (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. 2. In the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951, - (i) in rule 525, in sub-rule (2), in clause (v), after item (k), the following items shall be inserted, namely: -4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)] "(l) For augmentation of satellite bandwidth from 2 Gbps to 4 Gbps for Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands as per the Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Capital Expenditure incurred by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) shall be funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). (m) For augmentation of satellite bandwidth from 318 Mbps to 1.71 Gbps utilizing GSAT-11 and 19 capacities for Union Territory of Lakshadweep as per the Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for Union Territory of Lakshadweep, Capital Expenditure incurred by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) shall be funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).‖; (ii) in rule 526, for the words, brackets and letters "items (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j) and (k) of clause (v)", the words, brackets and letters ―items (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l) and (m) of clause (v)" shall be substituted. [F. No. 30-176-3/2015-BB-USOF (Vol. II)] NAVNEET GUPTA, Jt. Secy. Note: The principal rules were published in the Post and Telegraph Manual Volume I, Legislative Enactments, Part II, Edition and subsequently amended vide notification numbers – 1. G.S.R. 190, dated the 18th February, 1984; 20.G.S.R. 837(E), dated the 5th October, 1987; 2. G.S.R. 386, dated the 22nd May, 1984; 21. G.S.R. 989(E), dated the 17th December, 1987; 3. G.S.R. 387(E), dated the 22nd May, 1984; 22. G.S.R. 337(E), dated the 11th March, 1988; 4. G.S.R. 679, dated the 30th June, 1984; 23. G.S.R. 361(E), dated the 21st March, 1988; 5. G.S.R. 428, dated the 27th April, 1985; 24. G.S.R. 626(E), dated the 17th May, 1988; 6. G.S.R 729, dated the 3rd August, 1985; 25. G.S.R. 660(E), dated the 31st May, 1988; 7. G.S.R. 982, dated the 19th October, 1986; 26. G.S.R. 693(E), dated the 10th June, 1988; 8. G.S.R. 553(E), dated the 27th March, 1986; 27. G.S.R. 734(E), dated the 24th June, 1988; 9. G.S.R. 314, dated the 26th April, 1986; 28. G.S.R. 606, dated the 14th July, 1988; 10. G.S.R. 566, dated the 26th July, 1986; 29. G.S.R. 812(E), dated the 26th July, 1988; 11. G.S.R. 953(E), dated the 23rd July, 1986; 30. G.S.R. 888(E), dated the 1st September, 1988; 12. G.S.R. 1121(E), dated the 1st October, 1986; 31. G.S.R. 907(E), dated the 7th September, 1988; 13. G.S.R. 1167(E), dated the 28th October, 1986; 32. G.S.R. 916(E), dated the 9th September, 1988; 14. G.S.R. 1237(E), dated the 28th November, 1986; 33. G.S.R. 1054, dated the 2nd November, 1988; 15. G.S.R. 49, dated the 17th January, 1987; 34. G.S.R. 179, dated the 18th March, 1989; 16. G.S.R. 112(E), dated the 25th February, 1987; 35. G.S.R. 358(E), dated the 15th March, 1989; 17. G.S.R. 377(E), dated the 9th April, 1987; 36. G.S.R. 622(E), dated the 15th June, 1989; 18. G.S.R. 674(E), dated the 27th July, 1987; 37. G.S.R.865, dated the 29th September, 1989; 19. G.S.R. 719(E), dated the18th August, 1987; 38. G.S.R. 413(E), dated the 29th March, 1990;[भाग II—खण् ड 3(i)] भारत का राजपत्र : असाधारण 5 39. G.S.R. 574(E), dated the 15th June, 1990; 58. G.S.R. 49(E), dated the 27 January, 2010; 40. G.S.R. 933(E), dated the 3rd December, 1990; 59. G.S.R. 279(E), dated the 31st March, 2010; 41. G.S.R. 985(E), dated the 20th December, 1990; 60. G.S.R. 256(E), dated the 27th March, 2012; 42. G.S.R. 74(E), dated the 18th January, 1991; 61. G.S.R. 412(E), dated the 29th May, 2012; 43. G.S.R. 237(E), dated the 25th April, 1991; 62. G.S.R. 368(E) dated the 07th June, 2013; 44. G.S.R. 251(E), dated the 2nd May, 1991; 63. G.S.R. 506(E) dated the 24th July, 2013; 45. G.S.R. 543(E), dated the 21st May, 1992; 64. G.S.R. 18 dated the 28th January, 2014; 46. G.S.R. 560(E), dated the 26th May, 1992; 65. G.S.R. 912(E) dated the 23rd December, 2014; 47. G.S.R. 587(E), dated the 10th June, 1992; 66. G.S.R. 653(E) dated the 25th August, 2015; 48. G.S.R. 730(E), dated the 19th August, 1992; 67. G.S.R. 241 dated the 10th December, 2015; 49. G.S.R. 830(E), dated the 28th October, 1992; 68. G.S.R. 297(E) dated the 28th March, 2017; 50. G.S.R. 62(E), dated the 11th February, 1993; 69. G.S.R. 314(E) dated the 31st March, 2017; 51. G.S.R. 80, dated the 6th February, 1993; 70. G.S.R. 406(E) dated the 20th April, 2017; 52. G.S.R. 384(E), dated the 27th April, 1993; 71. 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