The Ministry of Communication on July 4, 2024 issued a notification proposing the draft
Telecommunications (Digital Bharat Nidhi) Rules, 2024. These rules shall be in supersession of rules
523 to rule 527 of the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951, but shall not override the terms and conditions
of existing arrangements under those rules till the date of expiry of such arrangement.
Key objective of these rules includes the definition of administrator, who is appointed by the Central
Government and DBN- which stands for the Digital Bharat Nidhi, the Powers and Functions of the
administrator and highlights the provisions of the Funding from the Digital Bharat Nidhi.
The notification further highlights that projects and schemes must meet one or more specific criteria
to qualify for DBN funding. The selection process of the DBN implementer for the purposes of
achieving the objectives of the DBN is tabulated under the rules.
These rules are now open for public feedback and any objections or suggestions shall be addressed
to the Joint Secretary (Telecom), Department of Telecommunication, Ministry of Communication,
Government of India Sanchar Bhawan, 20, Ashoka Road, New Delhi–110 001 on or before 3rd August
2024.
