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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3053
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11TH MARCH, 2026
LOW UTILISATION OF BUDGET
3053. SHRI AZAD KIRTI JHA:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) the reasons for the low utilization of budget allocations during FY 2024-25, with only 6% of
funds allocated to the BSNL/MTNL Revival Plan, 23% for BharatNet and 8% for the Connectivity
for Indian Railways (CIOR) scheme spent;
(b) the details of project deadlines and measurable output milestones introduced following
repeated Standing Committee observations regarding underutilization; and
(c) whether the Department has operationalized any risk-based or performance-linked budget
monitoring mechanism since the said observations and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) In FY 2024-25, the utilization of funds against Revised Estimates (RE) was 99.87% in
BSNL/MTNL Revival Plan, 61.46% in Bharat Net and 72.06% in Prevention of Spoofed Incoming
International Calls System (CIOR).
The reasons for 61.46% utilization of funds in FY 2024-25 in respect of Bharat Net is due
to delay in finalization of bids for implementation of Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) by BSNL,
which is Project Management Agency for ABP.
(b) BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband
connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages in the country. As of Feb-2026, 2,17,805
GPs have been made service ready under BharatNet project in the country. Further, Amended
BharatNet Program (ABP) approved by the Government is under implementation for up-gradation
of existing network of BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II, creation of network in balance GPs,
Operation & Maintenance for 10 years and connectivity to remaining non-GP villages on demand
basis from their respective GPs.
(c) The physical and financial progress in respect of Projects/Schemes is regularly monitored at
highest level to ensure optimal utilization of funds.
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