USOF scheme

USOF scheme

Part of: GS Prelims 

In News: The Union Cabinet has given its approval for provisioning of mobile services in Uncovered Villages of Aspirational Districts across five States of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra & Odisha.

• The Project envisages to provide 4G based mobile services in the 7,287 uncovered villages of 44 Aspirational Districts across five States of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra & Odisha 
• The project would be funded by Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)
• The work related to provision of 4G mobile services in identified uncovered villages will be awarded through open competitive bidding process as per extant USOF procedures.

Key benefits:

• Enhance digital connectivity useful for self-reliance, 
• Facilitate learning, 
• Dissemination of information and knowledge, 
• Skill upgradation and development, 
• Disaster management, 
• E-Governance initiatives, 
• Establishment of enterprises & e-commerce facilities, 
• Provision of adequate support to educational institutes for knowledge sharing 
• Availability of job opportunity
• Fulfilling the vision of Digital India promoting domestic manufacturing
• Fulfilling the objectives of Atmanirbhar Bharat 

News Source: PIB