JAMMU, Feb 13: The Government of Jammu & Kashmir has entered into an Addendumto the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department ofTelecommunications, Government of India, and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited(BSNL), to ensure smooth, coordinated, and expeditious execution of theBharatNet Project in the Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
The BharatNet Project has been notified as a Special Project undersub-rule (1) of Rule 12 of the Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024.The Amended BharatNet Programme, approved by the Union cabinet on04.08.2023, envisages provision of broadband connectivity to all GramPanchayats and villages across the country on a demand-driven basis. Under theamended framework, BSNL has been designated as the single ProjectManagement Agency (PMA), responsible for construction, upgradation, operationand maintenance (O&M), and effective utilization of the BharatNet infrastructure.In accordance with the provisions of the tripartite MoU and in order toensure faster, seamless and unhindered rollout of the BharatNet project in theUnion territory of Jammu & Kashmir, following instructions are hereby issued forstrict compliance by all the Depaftments, agencies and public entities:
1. All public entities shall permit the Right of Way (RoW) for theBharatNet project strictly in accordance with Rule t2 of theTelecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024. No entry fee,charge, fee, rent, annuity, compensation, bank guarantee, or anyother financial contribution in any form whatsoever shall be leviedfor granting access, establlshment, operation, maintenance of theBharatNet network, or for restoration of the site where BharatNetinfrastructure is located.
2. For housing network elements, suitable indoor space with properupkeep and security shall be provided at the Gram PanchayatBhawan or any other suitable Government building, free of cost, forplacement and operation of BharatNet equipment. Whereversuitable indoor space is not feasible due to access or technicalconstraints, outdoor space within the same campus of the GramPanchayat Bhawan or other Government building shall be providedfor installation of outdoor racks, at no cost to the BharatNet PMA.Further, unhindered access on a 24x7 basis shall be ensured to theBharatNet PMA or its authorized representatives for operation andmaintenance of the network equipment wherever installed.
3. Uninterrupted electricity supply shall be ensured for all BharatNetnetwork equipment through dedicated electricity connections, onthe basis of fixed monthly charges. Such fixed monthly chargesshall be determined based on the load capacity of the installednetwork equipment and the applicable rural, industrial, or specialtariff, whichever is the lowest. The concerned DistributionCompanies (Discoms) shall enter into formal agreements with theBharatNet PMA for this purpose. Payment of the fixed monthlyelectricity charges, as per predefined usage norms, shall be madeby the BharatNet PMA on a centralized basis.
4. The officer in charge of the Gram Panchayat Bhawan orGovernment building where BharatNet equipment is installed shallact as the custodian of the installed network equipment. Thecustodian shall be responsible for ensuring the security of theequipment and for maintaining an up-to-date inventory of allnetwork assets under his/her custodianship. In the event ofemergencies such as fire, flood, or other natural or man-madecalamities, the custodian shall take appropriate preventive andprotective measures for the equipment, strictly in accordance withthe guidelines issued by BSNL.
5. For the purpose of ensuring redundancy and reliable backhaulconnectivity, 6-8 optical fibres from the Optical Ground Wire(OPGW) network constructed or owned by Electricity DistributionCompanies shall be made available to BSNL for Internet LeasedLine (ILL) backhaul connectivity to the BharatNet network, eitherfree of cost or on an actual cost basis. Additionally, for connectingnon-Gram Panchayat villages, the use of existing OPGWinfrastructure maintained by the State/UT or its Discoms shall bepermitted between villages and the nearest tapping point from theBharatNet ring.
6. Concerned Departments may apply for Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH)connections through BharatNet for village-level Governmentinstitutions such as schools, Anganwadi centres, police stations,health centres, Panchayat offices, and other similar establishments.Such connectivity shall facilitate improved delivery of social seruicesand strengthen e-governance initiatives at the grassroots level.
7. For effective coordination and timely resolution of issues related tothe BharatNet project, all concerned Departments shall nominate aNodal Officer to act as the single point of contact for coordinationwith BharatNet PMA and other stakeholders.B. The above instructions shall be in force, during lifetime ofBharatNet project, i.e. during execution and O&M phase.1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.
Accordingly, it is enjoined upon all Administrative Departments/Heads ofDepaftments/PSUs/Corporations/Boards etc. to strictly adhere to the aboveinstructions to ensure smooth and timely rollout of the BharatNet pCIect in theUnion territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Fufther, Administrative Departments shallalso issue necessary instructions to their respective field offices at the District,Block and Panchayat levels for effective implementation of these directions inletter and spirit.These instructions are brought to the notice of all concerned for strictand immediate compliance.
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