The Department of Telecommunication on 27th May 2022, has extended the time period of MoD (Ministry of Defence) clearances from present 6 months to 1 year for telecom industries for laying and maintaining undersea cables.
Earlier telecom operators were required to seek clearance every six months for vessels and ships required for laying and maintaining undersea cables that are vital for internet and international telecom services. However in the interest of ease of doing business, DoT took up the case with MoD to extend period of their clearance from the present 6 months to 1 year.
Further MoD agreed to the proposal of DoT to grant initial and subsequent MoD security Clearance of vessels/Ships to one year/duration of the contract whichever is less subject to the following conditions.
- Naval security clearance (NSC) granted will continue to be for a maximum of 6 months
- Vessels when demobilised will seek afresh MoD clearance
- Vessels entering dry-dock or leaving ODA for repairs will seek afresh MoD clearance
